Year of the Dragon

Here we are, brand new year, brand new PGA golf season.

It's 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year Calendar is the longest stretching chronological record in history dating back to over 2600BC. According to the calendar it's the Year of the Dragon. Wikipedia says that according to Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon's characteristics include being strong, proud, passionate, self-assured, decisive and pioneering. According to the PGA it's the Year of the Youth and they are pioneering a new sense of confidence amongst young golfers on Tour.

Simply put, they're saying they're not afraid to win.

The 2012 season gets under this weekend in Hawaii with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Kapalua hosts the inaugural tournament which is exclusive to tournament winners from last year. The 28-man field features 11 golfers in their twenties (an additional 7 qualified), and their expectations are high. That being said, there are plenty of fantastic mature players sill on tour. The void of dominance that Tiger left when he fell from glory is still very present, and the number 20-something year old golfers on tour who are salivating at the opportunity to grab a piece of victory pie is growing.

Of particular note, 22-year Rory McIlroy won't be playing as he takes a bit of time off. Expect him to compete in plenty of Sunday afternoon battles throughout the season as he looks to chalk up a few more tallies in the wins column.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua

There's definitely still something to be said for how 15 years of professional experience come into play on the back nine of the fourth round, but more and more PGA newbies are saying "so what?"

Player list source: pgatour.com