1. Phil Mickelson
With Tiger Woods on gardening leave, expect the maverick left-hander to step up to the plate and claim the No.1 spot. It's common knowledge that he's not the greatest mates with the current No.1 and he must be licking his lips at the prospect of rubbing some salt in Tiger's wounds. Traditionally quick out of the blocks, I'll be surprised if he hasn't won at least once before February is out, with the San Diego Open at Torrey Pines (Jan 28-31) nominated as his best chance.
Much has been made of how the 2010 major-roster suits Woods but it suits Mickelson too. The Masters and US Open are played at two of his favourite tracks - Augusta and Pebble Beach - while he also played well at Whistling Straits, the venue for the USPGA, the last time the event was held there in 2004. In fact, it's hard to see him not winning at least one major, a 9/4 shot with bet365, while the Grand Slam at 200/1 with the same firm is not out of the question.
With his personal life becoming more settled, I can see him playing a full schedule this season so he looks a good thing to take the US Money List without Woods at 7/4 (Victor Chandler), a category he would surely have taken last season but for taking a midsummer break to be with his sick wife.
Best chance to win: Just about everywhere he tees up but especially the San Diego Open and Augusta of course.
2. Sean O'Hair
The 27-year-old won his third US Tour title in May (one of six times he made the each-way places in 2009) and ended last season with over $4m in prize money. The downside is that punters will have to get used to seeing this superb ball-striker near the head of the betting every time he tees up from now on. That said, there's no reason why his success shouldn't continue and he can continue to pay his way. What's more, his majestic long game gives him a better chance of Major success than some of his peers.
Best chance to win: USPGA Championship (Whistling Straits)
3. Nick Watney
Like O'Hair, Watney was one of last season's big improvers on Tour, winning his second PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines and finishing runner-up to Mickelson in the World Golf Championship at Doral the following month. He ended up 12th on the Money List with over $3m in the bank for his troubles and could be forgiven for packing up his clubs at the end of the season and taking a break, but far from it! After finishing fifth in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai in November, he helped the USA to a best-of-the-day final round of 62 in the World Cup and with no rust to contend with I'm expecting him to blast out in 2010 and post an early win. As one of the longest hitters on Tour, he will eat up any course over 7,300 yards for breakfast.
Best chance to win: World Golf Championships-CA Championship (Doral)
4. Adam Scott
The Aussie had a poor 2009 by his high standards, which was down to a combination of injury and rank bad play. However, he was given a surprise wild card by Greg Norman in the Presidents Cup and that seemed to give him a renewed confidence in his game, so much so that from November he didn't finish worse than 12th and even won the Australian Open for the first time. With his old swagger back, I'm confident he will add to his six PGA Tour titles in 2010.
Best chance to win: Players Championship at Sawgrass (winner in 2004)
5. Rickie Fowler
The long-time world No.1 amateur turned pro last October and made an immediate impact, finishing second and seventh in two lucrative starts. Still, it was back to Q-School for the 21-year-old at the backend of last year and he earned his Tour card for this season with the minimum of fuss. As a result, we should see plenty of him in 2010 and he could easily pop up at a decent price, perhaps in his native California or in one of the Fall Series of events. He certainly won't fail through lack of confidence, as you can see from his website: http://www.rickie-fowler.com/.
Best chance to win: Bob Hope Classic, Frys.com Open