The halfway point of the PGA TOUR regular season has arrived, and with it, the pressure to perform intensifies for those who have underperformed. As the season nears its end, players must step up their game to secure their place in the postseason, the TOUR Championship, or the Presidents Cup. Here's a closer look at five players who need to improve their performance in the second half of the season.
Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley, currently ranked 76th in the FedExCup, has shown recent improvement, but he's still struggling to make up ground after a post-Ryder Cup slump. Bradley missed three of his first five starts and didn't notch a top-20 finish until the RBC Heritage, where he tied for 12th. Despite this, he's only one good week away from turning his fortunes around. Bradley's putting and approach play have been his biggest weaknesses, ranking 135th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 101st in SG: Putting. However, if these areas continue to improve, as Bradley believes, a turnaround could be imminent.
Sungjae Im
Sungjae Im, ranked 104th in the FedExCup, has been working his way back into form after a wrist injury kept him out of competition at the start of the year. While he finished fourth at the Valspar Championship, he hasn't shown consistent top-40 finishes in other events. Im, a consistent presence for the Internationals since 2019, is forecasted to be an integral part of the Presidents Cup team. However, he needs more time to regain his form, especially in approach play, where he ranks 139th this year.
Tony Finau
Tony Finau, ranked 78th in the FedExCup, has struggled to capitalize on his opportunities this season. Without a top 10 finish since the 2025 Genesis Invitational, Finau's postseason berth is not guaranteed. He's also in line to miss the PGA Championship for the first time in his TOUR career, unless he can turn it around at Quail Hollow Club. Finau's ranking of 117th in the Official World Golf Ranking doesn't help his case, and he's not exempt from the U.S. Open or The Open Championship, which have stricter qualification requirements.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland, ranked 60th in the FedExCup, has had a solid but unspectacular season. With only four top 25s in nine events, Hovland hasn't lived up to the bar he set for himself in recent seasons. His best finish this year is a T10 at the WM Phoenix Open, and he hasn't been in true contention on a weekend since the RBC Heritage. However, there's optimism in his recent trend off the tee, where he's been well above average in his last four starts. If this continues, top results will inevitably follow.
Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark, ranked 72nd in the FedExCup, has shown signs of improvement in his last three starts, finishing T21-T16-T20. However, he's missed the previous two weeks for unknown reasons. Assuming a clean bill of health, Clark has gained strokes in every category at the Masters, where he finished T21. His performance off the tee needs improvement, as he ranks outside the top 100 in driving this year. Clark's U.S. Open championship win last year gives him a strong foundation to build upon.
In conclusion, these five players have the talent and potential to turn their seasons around. With the right adjustments and a bit of luck, they can secure their postseason berths and live up to their potential.
