Tiger's next steps, Spieth to face Augusta demons - golf's big talking points in 2017
Can Tiger Woods get back to his best? Will Jordan Spieth overcome his Augusta nightmare? We look at the big golfing questions of 2017.
There was no shortage of drama for golf fans in 2016, with Jordan Spieth's sensational Masters collapse, a titanic tussle at Troon that saw Henrik Stenson win The Open ahead of Phil Mickelson and the United States' success in the Ryder Cup proving particularly memorable.
But what do the next 12 months have in store?
Omnisport's Chris Devine looks at the burning questions set to be answered in 2017.
CAN TIGER ROAR AGAIN?
The level of intrigue that surrounded Tiger Woods' return to competitive action after a 16-month absence, at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, merely highlighted the 40-year-old's enduring box-office status.
It was back in 2008 when Woods claimed his 14th and most recent major title, but he undoubtedly remains the biggest draw in his sport - and there were plenty of positives to take from his comeback, even if consistency proved an issue.
A clean bill of health for 2017 would surely represent the ideal Christmas present for Woods, who has been plagued by back trouble in recent years.
Just imagine the excitement if he stays fit and finds himself in contention with nine holes to play in a major.
HOW WILL SPIETH FARE ON AUGUSTA RETURN?
It is easy to overlook just how close Jordan Spieth came to completing a phenomenal achievement at Augusta in April.
Twelve months on from winning the Masters in the most composed and controlled manner imaginable, Spieth appeared certain to complete an even more impressive defence as he began Sunday's back nine leading by five strokes.
What followed was hard to comprehend. Bogeys at 10 and 11 stunted his momentum, but few could have anticipated the young Texan's collapse on the short 12th, where he dumped his tee shot into Rae's Creek before sensationally finding water again with a chunked pitch on his way to a shocking seven.
Danny Willett capitalised to secure his first major crown, while Spieth offered up some brutal honesty in a post-tournament media briefing, revealing he had said to his caddie, Michael Greller, "Buddy, it seems like we're collapsing."
Given that he has finished no lower than tied-second in three outings at Augusta, it seems fair to suggest Spieth has as good a chance as anyone of being in the running when next year's opening major draws towards a conclusion. If that proves to be the case when he gets to the 12th on Sunday, Spieth will face arguably the biggest mental challenge of his career to date.
WHO WILL BE NEXT TO BREAK THEIR MAJOR DUCK?
All four majors in 2016 delivered first-time champions, Dustin Johnson and Jimmy Walker also triumphing along with Willett and Stenson.
Much can change between now and April 6, when 2017's major action gets under way, but it would be no surprise if there were further breakthrough successes next year.
Hideki Matsuyama's victory at the Hero World Challenge represented a fourth win in five starts for the talented Japanese, who may well have prevailed instead of Walker at the US PGA Championship in July had his putter not run ice-cold during the final round.
Matsuyama would appear to head a list of potential new major champions, along with the likes of Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler, while this writer has often felt it is only a matter of time before Branden Grace takes out one of golf's biggest tournaments.
MCILROY TO RETAKE TOP SPOT?
Few would be surprised to see Rory McIlroy return to the top of the world rankings over the coming months.
Jason Day has held the number-one slot since his victory at the WGC-Dell Match Play in March, but the Australian's troublesome back flared up at the end of the 2016 PGA Tour season, just as McIlroy hit top form to claim FedEx Cup glory.
A four-time major winner, McIlroy is now close to another stint as golf's top dog. A long-awaited first win at Augusta in April would be some way to achieve the feat.