PGA and LPGA golfers to watch in 2021

The 2020 Symetra Tour Player of the Year, Belac is ready, potentially, for big things on the LPGA circuit in 2021. Belac, a former standout at Duke, brings plenty of excitement with her to the LPGA Tour. She might also be another in a long line of young talent to enjoy immediate success on Tour. The Slovenian is a name to remember as she continues to make a rapid rise in her career.

Conners has not won since his first overall victory back in April 2019, however, he tied for 10th at the Masters in November. Many PGA Tour pundits and analysts believe Conners is on the verge of breaking out. That Masters finish is proof it's possible, so we'll see. Heading to Torrey Pines, Conners had placed in the top 20 in four of five tournaments -- including two inside the top 10.

Davis finished third at the recent American Express event, and that might just be the start of a special 2021 for the Australian. That was his second top-10 finish since the start of October, so it's rather easy to understand why Davis should be considered a candidate to break out this season. He also won't turn 25 until late February, so there is much to like about Davis' future.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding Hatton in 2021. He'll end January ranked fifth in the World Golf Ranking after winning the recent Abu Dhabi Championship. Hatton has had some issues controlling his emotions in the past, but we're starting to see a more mature approach to the game. Perhaps that's why Hatton, who won the 2020 BMW PGA Championship, now is being taken more seriously when it comes to taking the next step in his career.

Many critics have felt the sky could be the limit for Hovland, the former Oklahoma State star and U.S. Amateur champion. Hovland won two matches in 2020, most recently the Mayakoba Golf Classic in December. The Norwegian certainly has the making of a player who looks ready to take the next step in his professional career. It would not be a shock to see him in the hunt for a major this season. In 2020, Hovland tied for 13th at the U.S. Open.

The South Korean enjoyed quite the season in 2020. He won the Honda Classic in March and tied for second at the Masters later in the year. The PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2018-19, Im could be in for a massive 2021. Which has already started out quite well with a T5 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and then tied for 12th at The American Express. 

Kang currently sits fifth in the Rolex Rankings (the world's top women's golfers) and won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2020. Kang is one of the best American golfers in the world, but there also seems to be a sense of urgency to improve her play during major championships. In 2020, Kang's best finish at a major was a tie for 11th at the ANA Inspiration. Her only major win came in 2017, at the PGA Championship.

Ko has won 15 times on the LPGA Tour and is a two-time major winner. However, her last victory came in 2018 (her last major win was 2016), and her struggles since then have been well-documented, In 2021, though, Ko has reworked her swing with coach Sean Foley. That has many LPGA analysts believing that this season can be one about a resurgence for Ko. Who, we should keep in mind, will turn 24 in April.

The first of the two Korda sisters we'll talk about. Jessica is coming off her victory at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, which included that stellar third-round 60. It was her first LPGA Tour win since 2018. However, the quest for Korda continues to be that of winning her first major title. She's placed inside the top 10 seven times at majors, but last season failed to do so and did not place better than a tie for 23rd. We're not sure how much the pressure is mounting on Korda to claim that elusive title, but there are plenty watching her attempt.

The sisterly competition between Nelly and sister Jessica is fun to watch. At the moment, Nelly is fourth in the Rolex Rankings. Nelly is also still aiming toward claiming that first major title, like her sister, and has four top-10 finishes in such events during her career. Including at least one in each of the last three seasons. She finished third at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, so 2021 appears to be off to a strong start.

In each of the last two seasons, Kupcho has recorded a top-10 finish in a major event. Could that mean she's on the cusp of breaking through as a major champion? Plenty of LPGA pundits believe that could be the case in 2021. Kupcho only turned pro in 2019, so the soon-to-be 24-year old has already made plenty of noise during his LPGA career. It might be getting louder sooner rather than later.

Perhaps no golfer on the LPGA Tour will have more eyes fixed on oneself than A Lim Kim. Especially after she stunned the women's golf world by winning December's U.S. Women's Open in her first major start. That's quite a starting point, and maybe there is too much pressure placed upon Kim this season -- her first as a full-time LPGA Tour member -- as she looks to build on that remarkable major debut.

Man, did Niemann get off to a strong start in 2021. He opened January with a second-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, then followed with a tie for second at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Followers of the PGA Tour have been waiting for Niemann to break out over the past couple of seasons, and it seems like he might finally be on the threshold of doing so.

Only 19-years old, Noh entered the last week of January 2021 with $415,307 in career earnings. She's also placed in the top 10 at four tournaments. She'll be finishing up her rookie season this year, but Noh has already shown through her talent and composure that her game is more advanced than just about any other teenage golfer. We'll see if that translates into some wins on the LPGA Tour. 

While Olson is still searching for his first victory on the LPGA Tour since turning pro in 2013, there is a lot to like about her game. Thus, offering plenty of promise that she'll breakthrough in 2021. The North Dakota native tied for second at the U.S. Women's Open in 2020. Entering the final weekend of January, Olson ranked seventh on the Tour money list with more than $760,000 in earnings. 

He's the No. 2 player in the world and has a PGA Tour victory in each of the last five years. So why are we watching Rahm if he's so popular? Because he's still in search of that first major championship. Rahm has recorded five top-10 finishes at the majors, including three at the Masters. So, is this the year that Rahm finally gets over the hump and able to claim that elusive first major title? We'll be watching.

One of the better ball-strikers in the game, Varner has been on the radar of those PGA Tour pundits for some time now. Since October, he's posted three top-10 finishes but is still searching for his first PGA Tour victory. Consistency has been an issue with Varner, that perhaps with experience and a better comfort level of the Tour, will finally pay off in the form of a breakout year.

Now, there is no guarantee Wie will pick up a club in 2021, let alone compete on the LPGA Tour. Still, since giving birth in June, Wie, the 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion and five-time overall winner on the LPGA Tour, has left the door open to returning to competition. Whether that means in 2021, we don't know yet, but it would certainly be a story that will captivate the golf world.

Woods is coming off his fifth back surgery from late December. So, the immediate focus surrounding Tiger is when he will be able to tee it up in 2021? Woods' good friend and former PGA Tour member Notah Begay doesn't think it will be too long. And, that it's possible he will be at Augusta in April. As has been the case throughout Woods' career, all eyes will again be on him to see what happens in his life -- on and off the course. 

UPDATE: Woods was in a serious accident on Feb. 23, putting his playing career going forward in jeopardy. 

A former Walker Cup participant, Zalatoris might be the "It" golfer for 2021. He's never won a PGA Tour event but he did finish tied for sixth at the 2020 U.S. Open. He also ranks among the top-65 golfers in the world. All that makes Zalatoris worth keeping an eye on as he tackles the PGA Tour in earnest this season. Whether he'll find immediate success? Well, that remains to be seen.