The Best of 2012

Alex Jenkins turns his attention to the winners (and losers) over the past 12 months

Rory McIlroy‘s form over the course of 2012 was easily enough for him to win player of the year

Player of the Year

OK, so he didn’t exactly thrill us at the UBS Hong Kong Open this time around but with five victories – including a second career Major at the US PGA Championship – Rory McIlroy well and truly lived up to world number one billing. Not that he had everything go his way. A string of missed cuts in the first half of the season – which came after a disappointing weekend at Augusta – had the naysayers out in force, but the 23-year-old Ulsterman roared back when it mattered, claiming two of the four FedEx Cup Playoff events on the PGA Tour, the aforementioned US PGA (by a staggering eightshot margin of victory) and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy won the money list titles in both Europe and America and played a significant role in Europe’s epic Ryder Cup win. He also beat his childhood hero Tiger Woods in an exhibition match in China, the so-called ‘Duel at Jinsha Lake’. Ten years ago they were all chasing Woods; now McIlroy is the man to beat.

Winner: Rory McIlroy

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