It’s the first Friday of the year. Let’s speculate and get some way-too-early picks on the record, shall we?

Masters: Brooks Koepka

Listen, he learned something last year! We aren’t sure what it is he learned playing alongside Jon Rahm on Sunday, but it clearly played out well at the next major. Koepka has two T2 finishes at Augusta National now and is finally not hungover from Oak Hill. I like Brooks to snag a third slam leg this year.

PGA Championship: Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland is going to win a major in 2024, it’s just about picking the right one. I went with Valhalla because it starts with a V. Deep, deep analysis.

U.S. Open: Cameron Smith

Pinehurst is the perfect place to show off an exceptional short game and Cam has some of the best hands in the world. Let’s hope for golf’s sake that Smith is rededicated to the game this season and if so, I like him at No. 2.

Open Championship: Max Homa 

Max seems to find his genius and his boyish love for the game when he gets to links golf courses and no course on the Open rota is more linksy than Royal Troon. I like Homa ball-striking his way to a Henrik-like win at the Open.

Listen to Shane and Andy Johnson’s predictions for the 2024 season on the January 3rd episode of the Fried Egg Golf podcast.

This piece originally appeared in the Fried Egg Golf newsletter. Subscribe for free and receive golf news and insight every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.