What a year this has been for golf! Forget the economic crisis and the sponsors’ pullout. 2008 has been a year when we saw some of the best performances ever and also, some of the best golfers making their absence felt.

Although Trevor Immelman clinched his maiden major title at the US Masters in April and Padraig Harrington won the season’s last two grand slam events, Tiger Woods’ performance was perhaps the most impressive of the year.

Tiger won the first four tournaments of the year that he played but then had a surgery on his left knee. He returned back for the US Open. Not many would have defied doctor’s orders and braved excruciating pain to battle through a 19-hole playoff to win the US Open. Wins like these make him a class apart. He is a true champion.

And that gives me more reason to believe that even though people talk about Tiger fading away and being closely followed by the Sergio Garcia’s, the Phil Mickelson’s and the Harrington’s, I can’t see them toppling Tiger as the world No 1 for at least two to three seasons more.

Even if he is replaced as No 1, no one can take away the credit from him to make this sport global. He has been the face of world golf and has given a lot to the sport.
Once Woods was out of action with injury, the door was wide open for Mickelson, Ernie Els and Garcia to take advantage in the second half of the year.

But it was Harrington who made the most of the opportunity, successfully retaining his British Open title and later on, winning the US PGA Championship. That, for me, has been another big highlight of this season. Winning back-to-back titles is not easy.
Even Indian golfers have had a great year, and for me personally, it’s been the best year of my career. Every golfer has a dream to be competing among the elite in the Majors and I have got my ticket for the 2009 season.

I would rate the Singapore Open as my best win this year because of the depth of the field. Being in the same group as Paddy, Ernie, Phil and winning was quite special.
The next year will be the most crucial and I have set a few goals for myself. Like I have said before, I will be cutting down my appearances on the Asian tour and will look to focus on putting up a good show at the Majors and win a couple of tournaments in the US.

Other Indians too had a great year. Arjun Atwal, SSP Chowrasia, Jyoti Randhawa — all have had a decent year and there is more for them to look for to next year.
The Order of Merit now is called the ‘Race to Dubai,’ which will end with a $10 million tournament and a $10 million bonus pool to be decided next November. If next year is anything like this one, there’s no telling what will happen.