Having taken control late in the final round while defending his BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club on the European Tour in late May this year, Luke Donald successfully regained his top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. In 2011, Donald became the first golfer to win the U.S. and European money titles in the same season.
The Tour Championship, the final event of the 2011 FedEx Cup Playoffs, proved to be a big moment for Bill Haas. Haas, who hails from a golfing family, defeated Hunter Mahan on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff. The win also solidified Haas' spot as the 2011 FedEx Cup winner. He was one of two captain's picks for the 2011 Presidents Cup, which the U.S. went on to retain.
McIlroy had four top 10 finishes in 10 PGA Tour events in 2011. He secured the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for a period during the year as well.
Quietly going about his business, Webb Simpson has taken the golfing world by storm. He finished second in the 2011 FedEx Cup standings as well as on the money-earning list. Although he never led a single hole while on the course, Simpson won the unforgiving 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club.
By finishing eighth in the 2011 FedEx Cup points rankings, Bubba Watson was simply showcasing what the future held for this up-and-coming star from Bagdad, Florida. With only three PGA Tour wins prior to 2012, Watson proved experience can be overrated when it comes to winning major titles, as he took home the green jacket at the 2012 Masters Tournament. He's good in the crunch, too, as three of his four wins have come on playoff holes.