European golf enjoyed a year to remember as Lee Westwood toppled Tiger to establish himself as world number one, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer became major champions and Colin Montgomerie and his men wrested the Ryder Cup back from America.
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Player of the Year - Graeme McDowell
A tough category to call with two truly outstanding candidates; Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer. Both men enjoyed quite brilliant 2010 seasons, claiming maiden major championships as well as multiple titles worldwide. Kaymer also finished the year as European number one after clinching the Race to Dubai money-list crown, but we are going to side with McDowell on this occasion. The Ulsterman triumphed at Pebble Beach to become the first European to win the US Open for 40 years and pushed Kaymer all the way in the Race to Dubai after successes at Celtic Manor and Valderrama. But it was his exploits at the Ryder Cup that tip the balance as he retained his composure to secure the all-important winning point for Europe in the singles against Hunter Mahan. GMac also finished the year in spectacular fashion as he came from four shots back on the final day to beat host Tiger Woods at the Chevron World Challenge - a worthy winner.
Most improved player - Rhys Davies
Having graduated from the Challenge Tour, Davies enjoyed a superb first full season on the European Tour in 2010. Possessor of arguably the best putting stroke on tour, the young Welshman enjoyed a flying start to the campaign and, after coming up just short in Malaysia, claimed his first victory at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. He shot a course record final round of 62 at Celtic Manor on his way to finishing as runner-up at the Wales Open and was also second in Madrid. Perhaps the only disappointment for him was missing out on a place in Europe's Ryder Cup team on home soil at Celtic Manor. But after finishing 18th on the Race to Dubai money-list and establishing himself well inside the world's top 100, Davies has every reason to look forward to 2011.
Rising star - Matteo Manassero
An honourable mention goes to Korea's exciting young talent Noh Seung-Yul, but for the second year running Italy's teenage sensation Matteo Manassero gets the nod. The youngster turned professional just a couple of weeks after his 17th birthday in May and played some superb golf to quickly secure his card for 2011. By October he had written himself into the record books as the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour as he emerged triumphant at the Castello Masters in Valencia. Manassero nearly added a second title in Hong Kong but, having qualified for the end of season Dubai World Championship, he has served notice that he is already capable of mixing it with the biggest names in the game.
Moment of 2010 - Europe regain the Ryder Cup
Rain initially threatened to ruin the 38th edition of the Ryder Cup with Celtic Manor flooded by a deluge of rain for the opening three days. That meant a first-ever Monday finish and a revised format for the match but, ultimately, it just added to the drama of what proved to be one of the most memorable editions of this great rivalry. After a super Sunday in which they claimed five and a half points out of a possible six, Europe headed into Monday's singles with a 9� -6� advantage. They were to need it as the Americans launched a concerted late fightback and Colin Montgomerie was indebted to Graeme McDowell who held his nerve to beat Hunter Mahan in the final match out on the course to secure Europe the point they needed for an unforgettable 14�-13� victory.
Best performance - Rory McIlroy wins at Quail Hollow
Having opted to take up PGA Tour membership in 2010, Rory McIlroy found it tough going Stateside early in the season and headed into the Wells Fargo Championship at the end of April on the back of a couple of missed cuts. Indeed, the Northern Irish youngster only survived the halfway cut at Quail Hollow by a single stroke, but then proceeded to show America just why he is Europe's most exciting young talent. The 21-year-old followed a round of 66 on Saturday with a scintillating course record of 62 on Sunday to romp away to a stunning four-stroke victory. McIlroy was inspired over that weekend with his iron-play and putting quite simply breathtaking.
Best shot - Phil Mickelson's second to 13 at Augusta
Plenty of candidates in this category as always with Graeme McDowell's approach to 16 and subsequent putt in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor demonstrating his ability under the sternest of pressure. Likewise Kaymer who produced the ultimate clutch putt on the 18th at the USPGA Championship to get himself into the play-off with Bubba Watson. Jonathan Byrd also deserves a mention after coming up with a hole-in-one to win the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open play-off. But our vote goes to Phil Mickelson for his quite extraordinary second to the 13th on the final day of the Masters. From behind a tree with his ball lying on pine straw and the championship very much in the balance, Mickelson fired a six-iron some 200 yards over Rae's Creek to within three feet of the flag. In true Lefty style he contrived to miss the eagle putt, but ultimately it mattered not as he went on to clinch a third Green Jacket.
Low point - Lee Westwood's injury
While Lee Westwood is likely to look back on 2010 with fondness having established himself as World No.1, you can bet the Englishman will still feel a deal of frustration at how it panned out. A first PGA Tour win in 12 years may have been secured, as well as the Nedbank Challenge title, but the 37-year-old's Holy Grail is a major crown and, in the form of his life, 2010 could have been the year. But Westwood saw his efforts undermined by a persistent calf injury sustained in the run-up to the Open Championship. The 37-year-old still managed to finish second at St Andrews - as he did at Augusta earlier in the year - but was forced to pull out of the USPGA Championship with the problem. Fortunately he was back in time to take part in the Ryder Cup, but he will be desperate to ensure he is completely recovered ahead of his major assault in 2011.
Controversy - Dustin Johnson at USPGA
There was plenty of controversy over both the scheduling of the Ryder Cup - (who'd have thought there would be heavy rain in Wales in early October!) - and also the selection process for the European team with Paul Casey and Justin Rose both missing out. But the season's most memorable controversy came at the final hole of the USPGA Championship as Dustin Johnson was handed a two-stroke penalty after grounding his club in what was deemed a bunker. In DJ's defence, spectators had been stood in what was one of the less obvious sand traps of the 1500 scattered around Whistling Straits as his wayward drive at the 72nd landed amongst the huge crowds. He remained unaware of his error until he was informed by an official as he departed the final green having missed what he thought was a putt to win the championship. In the event his penalty cost him the chance to compete in a play-off, but to his eternal credit Johnson accepted the decision with good grace - hopefully his time will come again.
Year to remember - European golf
Has there ever been a better year for European golf? Many will view 2010 as the year that golf's traditional powerbase in America began to shift across the Atlantic. For the first time since Sir Nick Faldo 16 years ago a European claimed the World No.1 ranking with Lee Westwood ending Tiger Woods' 281-week reign at the top of the pile. By the end of the season a further five Europeans had joined him in the top ten (Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy). In addition, the European Tour provided three of the four major winners with Graeme McDowell (US Open), Martin Kaymer (USPGA) and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen (Open Championship) all emerging victorious. To put the icing on the cake Colin Montgomerie's men then regained the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in thrilling style... not a bad season all in all!
Year to forget - Tiger Woods
If the last couple of months of 2009 were bad for Tiger Woods, then 2010 offered the American precious little solace. Following the raft of revelations that broke about his private life, Woods saw his marriage end in divorce while his fortunes on the course went from bad to worse. After a self-imposed exile, the 34-year-old made an encouraging return to action at the Masters where he finished fourth. However, far from providing a platform to build on, that result proved his best of 2010 as he endured his first winless season since turning professional in August 1996. His nadir came at the Bridgestone Invitational where he finished in 78th - one place off last - and posted an 18-over-par total of 298, by some distance the worst of his career.
Fond farewell - Lorena Ochoa
April saw Lorena Ochoa announce her retirement from professional golf at the age of just 28. Explaining her decision the Mexican world number one revealed she wanted to focus her life on her family. "I wanted to retire as the world number one and this is the moment," she told reporters at a tearful news conference in Mexico City. "I realised I didn't feel [the same] motivation this year and that I wanted to start a new life. I want to dedicate to my family the time I have taken from them all these years." Ochoa won two majors - the Women's British Open in 2007 and Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2008 - and recorded a total 27 victories in eight seasons on the LPGA Tour.
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