PHILIP REID rounds up the year in golf

Year to forget

Adam Scottendured a miserable time on tour, the Aussie recording 10 missed cuts in 13 tournaments at one point of a season to forget. Scott started the year positioned 15th in the official world rankings, finished second in the Sony Open in January . . . and then hit freefall that has seen him slump to a latest position of 74th in the world.

Shots of the Year

Stewart Cink's 16-foot putt for birdie on the 72nd hole of the British Open at Turnberry – which forced bogeys from Lee Westwood and Tom Watson on the final hole of regulation play – showed nerves of steel . . . Angel Cabrera's sand wedge approach from 72 yards (66 metres) on the 72nd hole of the US Matsers at Augusta National demonstrated inner strength and a deft touch from the man known as El Pato, "The Duck".

Upwardly Mobile

Rory McIlroy's trajectory lived up to all the billing, as the Ulsterman secured a first win on tour – in the Dubai Desert Classic – and also showed he will be a factor in the majors with a third-placed finish in the US PGA at Hazeltine in August . . . having started the year ranked 39th in the world, McIlroy has moved up to 17th and is in the thick of contention for the Race to Dubai.

The clothes horse

John Daly's suspension from the US PGA Tour meant the two-time major champion embarked on a globetrotting stint for much of the year which took him to Asia and Europe, including a visit to the 3 Irish Open at Batray where he sported his latest line in far out clothing from LoudMouth Golf and took home his very own Irish Wolfhound.

Mr Money Bags

Don't feel too sorry for Tiger Woodsmissing out on a major in 2009. The world's number one recorded six wins on the US PGA Tour, taking his season's earnings to €7 million ($10,508,163) from 17 appearances in his comeback season after undergoing major knee surgery. Woods has career earnings of €62 million ($92,862,539).