John Mallinger

Mallinger split his time between the Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour last season. While he wasn't very successful on the PGA Tour, he tore up the Nationwide Tour, earning his 2012 card. Mallinger is certainly capable of earning $1 million a year on the PGA Tour.

Mallinger appears to be getting better each year, but his final earnings don't necessarily show it. In his first three seasons on the PGA TOUR, Mallinger has earned four top-10s in each season as well as a top-three. Last year, however, he came closer than ever when he finished runner-up in a playoff at the U.S. Bank Championship. Often, players on the PGA TOUR need to climb the ladder on their way to a win. They need to come close before actually breaking through. That close call at the U.S. Bank Championship will help Mallinger in the future, but he might still be one more step away from winning a full-field event on the PGA Tour.

Mallinger is a good putter and straight off the tee, but can't hit a green. It doesn't matter how good you are with the putter, if it takes an extra shot to get there each time. Mallinger needs a drastic improvement in his ball striking to place better in 2009.

Mallinger withdrew from the 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic complaining about his back problems. Starting in late July 2007, Mallinger made eight consecutive cuts including two top-10s, three top-25s, and only once finishing outside the top-30. Not a bad year for a rookie. You would expect Mallinger to improve in his second year on the tour, but his stats leave a lot to be desired. He ranked in the top-100 in only one of the four major statistical categories.