Rory McIlroy

His dreadful collapse at The Masters threatened to be the stand-out story of the year but he showed exactly why he is the biggest talent in the game by annihilating the field at The US Open, and would later claim the biggest prize in golf, the $2 million first prize at the Shanghai Masters to take the World Number 2 spot. Number 1 is surely not far away.

Luke Donald 

The man McIlroy has to be beat - and his challenger to the European money list title - was stalked by disappointment at the majors but will likely make history as the first man to top both the PGA and European Tours' money lists in the same year. His charge to win the Disney Classic and tremendous play all year makes him a worthy World Number 1.

Darren Clarke

McIlroy and Donald have made 2011 a bumper year for British golf but Clarke's heroics at The Open put them both in the shade. The biggest story in the sport this year was Clarke's unbelievable victory which gave one of the European game's all-time greats the major title he richly deserved but few expected.

Keegan Bradley

Bradley hasn't had great rookie season but he warrants a place in this list because of what he achieved at the US PGA Championships alone. Not only was the fourth major a gripping drama this year, the real story was Bradley breaking the longest American drought in the majors in over a century, and in his first ever major to boot.

Webb Simpson 

What price Simpson being the next American to lift a major? He would have pipped Donald to the top of the PGA Tour money list were it not for the Englishman's superb final-round fightback. But Simpson has showed he has a fierce competitive streak to complement a brilliant natural talent. Watch this space.

Charl Schwartzel 

There is no denying that The Masters was more about McIlroy's horrendous collapse than the winner, but Schwartzel was there to exploit it. His performances since donning the Green Jacket are proof that he is more than a flash in the pan, he is the latest in a long line of dangerous South Africans.

Lee Westwood 

A year where Westwood stood atop the golfing rankings and battled Donald for the honour of being the world's best. It's testament to what we expect of the man, but another year without a major and slipping to third in the world can be considered a disappointment for such a great player. His great pal Clarke will tell him it's never too late, however.

Jason Day 

Second place finishes in The Masters and The US Open announced the arrival of a potential major player in the game this year. The 24-year-old struggled to maintain that level throughout the year but is now ranked 7th in the world and will be feared when the majors come round again next year.

Bill Haas 

The son of Jay Haas has been quietly impressive this year but it was one week's work in September that warrants his inclusion here. By beating Hunter Mahan in a play-off to win the TOUR Championship he won the FedEx Cup and pocketed $11.5 million, and owed his success to an unbelievable pitch from a water hazard to within three foot to stay in the frame.

Tiger Woods 

Woods does not have to play well to dominate the game. His absence and comeback are as big a part of the game as anyone's successes. Fans and commentators wonder whether he will ever return to the level that made it seem inevitable he would overtake Jack Nicklaus as the most successful player of all time. 2011 has produced many a great story, and 2012 promises to provide more of the same as one of the titans of the game continues to improve.