Who's been naughty this year? Who's been nice?

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John Daly has landed on John Maginnes' naughty list this year.

I have been naughty this year. There are times when I am on the air that I am more critical than is necessary. A bad golf shot is not a character flaw. A missed putt is not indicative of some personal evil. I won't tell you how naughty I have been away from the golf course. Let's just say that there is a pretty good chance that the jolly old fat man is going to leave me ashes and coal this year -- again.

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So with Santa Claus coming to town, it occurred to me to wonder who has been naughty or nice this year in professional golf.

David Feherty has been particularly nice this year. David has spent his fair share of time on the naughty list and quite frankly, he was a lot of fun when he was rocking the boat. But his transformation and subsequent spot on the nice list is inspirational. Being the most entertaining broadcaster in sports apparently isn't enough. The Irish-born Dallas resident has taken an active role in support of American servicemen and women. He has visited troops in the Middle East and has applied to become a citizen of the United States. Now, if we can just keep him off his bike.

Zach Johnson has been nice this year, too. His support of flood victims in his native Iowa shows that the Green Jacket hasn't changed him one bit. Actually, Zach has always been nice and has probably never gotten ashes and switches in his stocking.

John Daly on the other hand ... well, enough said. Big John has been on the naughty list for a long time. When he was winning golf tournaments we didn't mind. Now that he has been struggling with his game for a few years we have become more critical of his misdeeds. Of course, that makes us a little naughty, too. I don't know what it will take for J.D. to get back on the nice list. He is certainly nice at heart. Maybe a season overseas is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Tiger Woods has been perpetually on the nice list but this year he was a little naughty, too. Lest you think that I am kicking a guy who is down, think again. Tiger created a hero in Rocco Mediate and then stole him away with that par on the 91st hole of the U.S. Open. That is just plain naughty. Santa would never give a gift and then take it back. Tiger has done this before with guys like Bob May and Daly but for some reason the Rocco thing resonates a little longer. Tiger is a hero on and off the course, though. His foundation has fundamentally changed the lives of children, and his story has inspired millions more. So he probably won't be getting ashes and coal this year.

Vijay is on the naughty list, too. He turned THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola into more ceremony than tournament this year. But I don't think that he is too worried. What if the fat man doesn't visit him this year? He can buy an awful lot of gifts with that $10 million he got for winning the FedExCup.

Michelle Wie is finally on the nice list. After trying to bypass some critical steps on the path to professional stardom she went back to square one. She successfully navigated her way through qualifying school and is officially a member of the LPGA Tour. After years of questions from fans, the press and especially some players, she has earned the right to belong in professional golf. The best is yet to come for Michelle and her stocking will be filled with promise, potential and an LPGA Tour card. Don't be surprised if Santa brings trophies next year.

The game itself, and professional golf in particular, stay on the nice list for another year, too. Comparing the game, its players and the organizations that govern it to other sports is nearly unfair. While other sports have real world problems and lose their biggest stars to indictments and other public relations nightmares, golf remains a beacon of hope to sports fans. J.P. Hayes called a penalty on himself at the second stage of q-school that subsequently ended his quest to become exempt for the 2009 season. Find another sport where a player would do such a thing and the egg nog is on me.

Hopefully, you have been nice this year. Regardless, though, have a terrific holiday season.

John Maginnes is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the PGA TOUR.