Inexplicable decision of the Year: British voters
How could they possibly not make Rory the Sports Personality of the Year? Lewis Hamilton is talented but any one of a dozen drivers could have won the driver’s championship if they had been in his car. Just shows that you can’t trust the voting public
Most Welcome Win of the Year: Oliver Wilson
When you have been on tour for a decade and notched up nine runner-up spots without tasting victory, slipped to 792nd in the world rankings (and played on the only European team to lose the Ryder Cup since 1999), you might begin to despair. But Oliver Wilson held his nerve and emotions in check to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. Way to Go Ollie.
Worst News of the Year: Bob Torrance died
He will no longer spend hours at a time, in all weathers, standing on the practice range with his pupils, and golf has lost a wry, dry, big-hearted friend
Accurate Statement of the Year: David Feherty
When speaking of Tiger’s driving, the Irishman said: ‘Right now he couldn’t hit the ocean from the deck of an aircraft carrier.’
Journeyman to Champion of the Year: Jimmy Walker
Three wins and a stoical Ryder Cup performance in a losing cause from a guy who previously just made up the numbers
Hyperbole of the Year: Billy Payne
The Augusta National chairman said: ‘The loss of the Eisenhower Tree is difficult news to accept. We have begun deliberations of the best way to address the future of the 17th hole and to pay tribute to this iconic symbol of our history. Rest assured, we will do both appropriately.’ It was a tree, Billy – get a grip.
Speak in haste, Regret in Leisure of the Year: Patrick Reed
After winning the Cadillac Championship Reed said: ‘I’m one of the top-five golfers in the world (the win lifted him to 20th in the world rankings) I believe it.’ He has guts and a good game but not necessarily common sense
Performance of the Year: Justin Rose at the Ryder Cup
Just about flawless. Yes, Jamie Donaldson deserves special mention but Justin was in total control on virtually every shot
Disappointment of the Year: Ian Poulter at the Ryder Cup
After Medinah in particular we expect miracles but even he couldn’t overcome a year of injury and poor form
Leader of the Year: Paul McGinley
There are no other contenders. He was magnificent
Redemption of the Year: Michelle Wie
She lifted the Women’s US Open trophy at Pinehurst for her second victory of the season (and 4th of her career).
Child abuse of the Year: The USGA
The governing body of golf in America allowed 11-year-old Lucy Li to play in the Women’s US Open. The American Junior Golf Association won’t allow competitors until they’re aged at least 12 but the USGA has presumably got its sights on a promising foetus.
Can it Get any Worse of the Year: Jim Furyk
Since his last win, in 2010, Jim Furyk has led a tournament seven times after 54 holes and not once has he converted that last day advantage to victory. He went on, at Gleneagles, to become the American player to lose more matches at the Ryder Cup than any other in history
Dramatic Finish of the Year: Bubba Watson
At the WGC-HSBC Championship in Shanghai, Bubba bogied the 70th and 71st holes to fall out of contention, then holed a bunker shot for eagle at the 72nd to barge his way into a playoff with Tim Clark. On the first extra hole he birdied; this time with a 25 foot, downhill putt. He doesn’t do ordinary.
Close but No Coconut Award: Rickie Fowler
Astonishingly finished in the top-five of all four majors but didn’t manage a win of any sort to go with the one US Tour victory of his career, which was in 2012
Most ridiculous decision of the Year
1. PGA of America creating a task force to see how to win the Ryder Cup
2. PGA of America sacking Ted Bishop for calling Ian Poulter a Lil girl
3. PGA of America for expunging all records of Bishop’s presidency
4. [Retrospective] PGA of America for appointing Ted Bishop as president two years ago – a known publicity-hungry blowhard who never saw a camera or microphone that he didn’t like
Biggest Betrayal of the Year: Phil Mickelson
Who shafted his captain, Tom Watson, at the US team’s final Ryder Cup press conference
Best Major of the Year: The US PGA Championship
Martin Kaymer was in complete control of the US Open, as was Rory McIlroy in The Open, despite a last day wobble. But in the year’s final major Mickelson, Stenson and Fowler pushed Rory all the way in a finish of high drama
Worst Major of the Year: The Masters
Once Bubba Watson took the lead on the 9th, Augusta National witnessed a procession, with none of the contenders making more than one birdie on the back nine. This tournament used to be exciting.
Comeback of the Year (Women): Christina Kim
After blowing a five stroke lead in the final round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Club de Golf Mexico, which included a last-hole bogey to drop her back into a playoff, Kim triumphed at the second extra hole. It was her first win in nine years, after battling depression and other personal issues.
Comeback of the Year (Men): Padraig Harrington
The deservedly popular Irishman finally recorded a win, his first since the 2008 PGA Championship. The Bank BRI Indonesia Open is not the biggest event in world golf but after six long years it probably feels like another major
Easiest prediction of the Year
Darren Clarke (regrettably) will be Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain
Second easiest prediction
The US PGA’s task force, charged with finding the next American captain, will meet once, or not at all, and either Fred Couples or Paul Azinger will be appointed
Most Ridiculous Golf Story of the Year
A driver from the Plum Quick racing team set a new world speed record for a golf buggy on October 31. At Darlington Dragway, South Carolina, he recorded a speed of 118.76 mph
Player of the Year: Lydia Ko
Okay, Rory won two majors and is emphatically world number one but almost as important, he’s no longer a streak player who’s either boiling hot or freezing cold – now he contends even when not at his best. However, Lydia, let us remind ourselves won three times in this, her rookie season, played 12 events and made the cut in each; and in addition to those victories had five more top-10 finishes. Oh, did we mention that she’s only 17?
Okay, it was Rory really but Lydia deserves a mention, too.
Quote of the Year: Tom Watson
This team sucks