Golf in 2017: A first Asian No. 1 and a resurgent Tiger?

Published 1215 GMT (2015 HKT) January 10, 2017

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No male Asian golfer has ever topped the world rankings. Hideki Matsuyama will be hoping to change that in 2017. The 24-year-old is currently sixth after a breakthrough year which included three PGA Tour wins. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

After a 15-month battle with injury, Tiger Woods is back on the golf course. And the 14-time major winner has set himself a grueling early-season schedule as bids to recapture something resembling his finest form. Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy only needs a Masters Green Jacket to complete his collection of majors. The Northern Irishman finished 2016 with a flourish, winning the Tour Championship and the $10m Fedex Cup bonus. Andrew Redington/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth set the golfing world alight with a stellar 2015 which including two majors and a record-breaking Masters success. But his meltdown at Augusta in 2016 was the defining moment of a comparatively quiet year. Can he once again scale the heights? PETER PARKS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

The world No. 1 has been criticized for his slow play but, with millions of dollars up for grabs, Jason Day intends to take his time in 2017. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

He finally won his first major at last year's US Open and Dustin Johnson is likely to be a formidable competitor in 2017. Andrew Redington/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Like McIlroy, Phil Mickelson can complete the career grand slam in 2017. It is just the US Open that has eluded his grasp, with the veteran having racked up a record six runner-up finishes at the tournament. Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images