PGA Tour 2012: Rounding Up 2011 and Previewing 2012

The 2011 golf season just officially ended in Dubai with Alvaro Quiros draining a long breaking putt for an eagle to win the tournament, but Luke Donald birdied that same 72nd hole to put an exclamation point on winning the Race to Dubai. 

Donald finished the year No. 1 on the European Tour, PGA Tour and, oh yeah, No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).  He did not have a major victory but did win the WGC-Accenture and threw in an extra appearance to pick up his second PGA Tour win at Disney to overtake Webb Simpson to claim the PGA money title.

Donald’s father died suddenly in November just a couple of days before the birth of his second child.  That is a lot to deal with when trying to concentrate on winning golf tournaments and money titles.  With Donald’s short game and determination it looks like we can expect him to pick up some major hardware in 2012.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy had a fairly decent year too.  Although he had one of the worst all-time collapses on the back nine during the final round of the 2011 Masters, he came right back to lap the field in the U.S. Open at Congressional. 

McIlroy had two wins and 12 top-10 finishes on the European Tour. At 22 years old he has established himself as a credible challenger to Tiger Woods.  He will join the PGA Tour next year and should be a factor in the majors in 2012.

Lee Westwood fell from No. 1 in the world in 2010 to No. 3 in 2011 but did have one win and eight top-10 finishes on the European Tour.  Westwood still needs to win a major to validate an exceptional career and also plans to play more in the states in 2012 which could help his performance in the majors.

German Martin Kaymer chose not to join the PGA Tour in 2012, but we will still see a lot of him in the majors and the WGC events.  He had two wins on the European Tour in 2011 and finished third in the Race to Dubai, but most of the year he was a nonfactor due to swing changes that didn’t quite work out for him. 

He already has the 2010 PGA Championship trophy on his mantle.  Could more majors be in his immediate future in 2012?

Adam Scott finished 2011 in the sixth spot in the OWGR and 11th on the PGA Tour money list.  He used his long putter to perfection to win at the WGC-Bridgestone in Akron with new caddy Steve Williams on the bag.  Scott appears to be ready to compete in the big events and has the game to be a factor when it counts the most.

American youngsters Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley both had exceptional seasons.  It will be interesting to see if these new kids on the block can maintain their high level of play next year.  If they falter, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney and Bill Haas all appear ready to etch their names on major trophies.

Let us not forget, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods.  His swing changes, personal problems and health issues seem to be behind him, and he appears ready to resume his dominance of the golfing world.  If he can stay healthy he can refocus on his quest to pass Jack Nicklaus and capture 19 major titles. 

Tiger will turn 36 at the end of December.  Realistically, he will have 40 more chances to win at least five more majors. I don't think it will take him that long. 

Oh yeah, 2012 is a Ryder Cup year.  It will be held at Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago in September.  Currently nine of the top 25 golfers in the world are from Europe.  European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabel will have a team loaded with talent.  USA Team captain Davis Love III can counter with veterans Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Tiger, plus a lot of youthful talent.

The golfing world will be looking forward to all of these great players competing at the highest levels in the majors and Ryder Cup in 2012.

Pack a lunch, tie up your shoe laces and fasten your seat belts.  Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s going to be a bumpy and exciting ride.