PGA Tour Projections: 5 Reasons Why Tiger Will Reclaim His Throne in 2012

On December 2, 2011, Tiger Woods broke the longest winless streak of his career by capturing his fifth Chevron World Challenge.

Tiger had quite the fall from his top spot to being ranked 52nd on November 27, 2011 in the Official World Golf Ranking during that span. Yet, he seemed to show improvements throughout his 2011 campaign which all came to a head with his victory.

Let's go through the five reasons why Tiger will regain his title as the best in the game in 2012:

5: Done with the Caddy Drama

Woods and his former caddy, Steve Williams, had quite the falling out in 2011.

While Tiger was out with an injury, Williams decided to caddy for Aussie Adam Scott in the US Open and in the British Open. Woods clearly did not like his longtime caddy on the bag for someone else and decided it was time for a change.

This led Williams to call his victory with Adam Scott at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: "...the best win I've ever had." At a 2011 caddy awards dinner, when asked about the remarks, he proceeded to say: "It was my aim to shove it right up that black a********."

Woods played in a couple of tournaments with longtime friend Bryon Bell on the bag before hiring Joe LaCava as his new full-time caddy. Woods and Steve Stricker were paired to play against Adam Scott and KJ Choi in the 2011 Presidents Cup, thus making a Tiger vs. Steve headline. Although Woods and Stricker were defeated easily, there were no flare-ups.

Looking ahead to 2012, things seem to have died down with the caddy drama.

4: In Good Health

We've come a long way from seeing the Tiger who withdrew from the Players Championship after nine holes in 2011.

Woods struggled with his health all throughout last year, but he took time off instead of trying to play through the pain, and it seems to have paid off.

Missing the US Open, British Open and others due to the pain in his left Achilles tendon and knee was a tough pill to swallow, but sitting out might have saved his chances for a successful 2012 season.

3: Continuity with His Swing

Hank Haney resigned as Wood's swing coach in 2010 and Tiger replaced him with Sean Foley.

Tiger, with the help of Foley, decided to go through a swing change that seemed like it was never going to pay off. Well, it seems as though it's starting to come around.

Tiger is getting more and more comfortable with his new swing and the work in progress is starting to really come around.

Like any swing change, the more you practice it, the easier and less awkward it becomes for the golfer. Woods is known for putting in the time on the range and his "new swing" will just be known as his "swing" in 2012.

2: He's Tasted Victory

“Don’t call it a comeback, I've been here for years.” - LL Cool J

His victory at the Chevron World Challenge was the perfect way to cap off his 2011 season. He looked like the Tiger of old with crisp iron play and clutch shots.

Woods defeated former Master's champ Zach Johnson by one stroke and acted as though it was just another win. He's missed that feeling of overcoming Sunday pressure for a while, but he finally felt it again at the Sherwood Country Club.

Tiger goes into the offseason with a win under his belt and his confidence back. Watch out.

1: Clutch Putting

This may go hand-in-hand with him tasting victory, but we should not underestimate how important it is for Tiger to have his clutch putting back.

Tiger struggled with his putting all throughout his winless streak, going as far as taking his trusty Scotty Cameron out of the bag (the putter he won 13 majors with) and replacing it with a Nike Method.

His putting performance at the Chevron proved he is still the most clutch putter of all time, and if he has to make a 15-footer to win...well, we know what's going to happen.

If he keeps up the momentum, El Tigre will reclaim his throne at the top. This 35-year-old still has plenty of golf left in him.