General / Tareq Quiroz / 02 January 2009 /

Despite being out for most of the season, Tiger Woods still takes top shot as Tareq Quiroz reflects on an exceptional year. But who else is in the running for end of term prizes and who will be the stars of 2009?

This time last year I was full of excitement in anticipation of a great 2008. Sitting here now I can finally take it all in and revel in what was a year worthy of a novel all on its own. Clearly, I am not talking about what is going on in the real world but the joy that is the world of golf. What a year! Where do you start to review what has been a momentous period for our great game.

I can't imagine how many shots I have watched this year so to pick out just one as the best seems like a difficult task. Harrington's second into the par five 17th on his way to winning his second Open Championship was some shot but it doesn't make number one for me.

I so desperately wanted to be original but alas I have failed hopelessly! Tiger's putt on the 18th to take the US Open to a play-off was a very, very special moment and it would be careless of me to not give it the top shot status. Even if it had been in regular play on day one there was nothing easy about the putt but to make it to stay in the US Open was simply magnificent. Something you feel only Tiger could have done.

Does that unbelievable US Open victory mean Tiger is also the Player of the Year? It's close but quite frankly if you win two majors in a season and don't get that accolade then you have to think you are never going to get it. Padraig Harrington might not be everyone's idea of a global superstar but you cannot argue with his record.

He has set out to make the utmost from his game and to peak at the right times. Sure, some will say that he won both his majors this year when Tiger was missing but the man can only beat what is put in front of him. You have to give credit to the Irishman for his achievements and I for one award him Player of the Year for 2008.

Whilst Harrington was amazing in the majors he didn't show up for Europe in the Ryder Cup. He seemed to have lost any sparkle previously displayed earlier in the season. More disappointingly, he didn't give the impression of a man who really wanted to put himself in the firing line. Harrington and his European team mates were blown away by the USA when the chips were down and without doubt that is my disappointment of the year.

Betting wise it has been an up and down year, but you expect nothing less as a golf punter. One thing is for sure and that is it is always good to get off to a flying start. After much assessment I have come to the conclusion that my personal punting highlight was at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships way back in January. Oh the joy of bringing home a one two and a very early reward for a decision to make Martin Kaymer my man to follow. The young German repaid my faith early and at excellent odds of around the 70 mark. The victory was never in doubt as he sauntered to a four shot win. What I wouldn't give for another one of those in January 2009.

Martin Kaymer did me proud last year and it is a tough ask to follow that up. I have a few players who I will follow pretty closely this year including Alexander Noren on the European Tour and Michael Letzig on the PGA Tour. Follow this pair religiously and you won't be out of pocket but the player that excites me most is Chris Wood.

He burst onto the scene at the Open and since turning pro he has caught my eye on a few occasions. Keep this lad on your side this year as I am sure he will get into the Winners circle sooner rather than later.

The European Tour has to be praised for all it is doing to promote itself and without doubt the newly formed Race to Dubai is a feather in their cap. It has attracted the attention of several world stars currently playing on the PGA Tour. I am excited by how this newly designed order of merit will work out. I am sure it will be a raging success and represents the way forward for golf as a world tour.

2009 promises much but we can't let any thoughts of what might happen drift without discussing Tiger. The signs are good that he will be back and sooner rather than later. There have been some suggestions that he might not be back in action until mid-2009 but I am led to believe that he will return soon after the birth of his second child in February. Just in time to prepare for an assault on The Masters.

There will be plenty of doubters as usual but I am not one of them. Yes, he has had major knee surgery and not for the first time but Tiger is only too well aware of that. His rehabilitation will be spot on and I would be amazed if he didn't win at least one major this year. I fully expect him to come back better than ever. Layers beware.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: