To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Five wins on TOUR in six years is quite an impressive streak for Dustin Johnson. His scoring average jumped from 51st to eighth on TOUR last year and he improved from 171st to 50th in strokes gained-putting. He hits it long and he has an underrated short game. Is 2013 the year he gets over the major hump?

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: A back injury sidelined Johnson for the better part of three months. In his second start after returning from that layoff, Johnson birdied the 71st hole on the way to a 66 in the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic that lifted him to a one-shot win. Speaking of FedEx, Johnson closed with top-10 finishes in the final four Playoffs event to finish No. 8 in the final standings. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Dustin missed two months of the season with a bad back and still managed a great year. The fact he could miss that much time and bounce back with a win so quickly at Memphis, tells you just how good an athlete Johnson is. He has to watch his tempo. Dustin gets a little quick when in contention but his caddie, Bobby Brown, knows how to hold the reins of his horse. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: One of these years, he's going to rip off five or six victories and fulfill his ridiculous potential. Despite a sketchy start to 2012 after which he admitted returning from knee surgery too early, and an 11-week break due to a back injury, he matched Tiger Woods with nine top 10s in just 19 starts. (Only Rory McIlroy -- 10 in 16 -- recorded a better ratio.) DJ also rattled off a top 10 in every event in the FedExCup Playoffs, the only golfer to turn that trick since Padraig Harrington in 2009. When he's healthy, I'd make a case that Johnson is a top-three draft pick. And at $3.393 million, he's a no-brainer for salary gamers. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 26th

Final Playoffs ranking 8th

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To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Jason Dufner has come into his own over the last two years on TOUR -- his two-win season in 2012 proving 2011's playoff loss at the PGA Championship was no fluke. With his laid-back demeanor, Dufner isn't likely to get rattled, and more chances to win in 2013 are hardly an unrealistic expectation. He'd be an asset to the U.S. Presidents Cup team, as well.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Dufner's two wins came in a seminal span of three weeks. First was the playoff win over Ernie Els at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans where Dufner two-putted from 59 feet for birdie on the second extra hole. Dufner won his next tournament in regulation, making a 26-footer for birdie on the 72nd hole to edge Dicky Pride by one shot at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Dufner, who ended the season with eight top-10s on TOUR, also went 3-1-0 in his Ryder Cup debut. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: It was hard not to be excited on the first tee at the Ryder Cup. My hands were shaking jut holding a microphone and yet Jason Dufner seemed so casual. His even keel demeanor is amazing.I thought he might have gotten tired at the end of the year but was strong at the Ryder Cup. Jason has dramatically improved his short game through practice. In 2010 he was 92nd on TOUR in scrambling. In 2012 Dufner had improved to 8th, a move of 84 places in two years because of practice. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: One of my favorite fantasy values. Carries himself with exactly the kind of poise we love. Seemed unaffected by a torrid run in April and May that produced his first two PGA TOUR wins. One of the best in the world tee-to-green, which sets the stage for numerous opportunities to score. Streaky putter, but better than average more of the time. Will begin 2013 leading the PGA TOUR with 21 consecutive cuts made. Not recommended for salary gamers at $4.869 million. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 2nd

Final Playoffs ranking 14th

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To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

MORE TOP 100: Back to No. 14 | Forward to No. 12 | Top 100 archive

2013 PREVIEW: Much has been expected of Rickie Fowler since he turned pro after his sophomore year at Oklahoma State. After four runner-up finishes over the last four years, he finally broke through -- but let's not put too much pressure on Fowler in 2013. For one thing, he'll be looking to improve in strokes gained-putting after a drop from 31st to 139th.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: In his 72nd PGA TOUR start, Fowler survived three-way playoff with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points to win the Wells Fargo Championship. He nearly made it two-in-a-row the following week at THE PLAYERS but ended up in a tie for second. Fowler went on to finish a career-best 28th in the FedExCup, reaching the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola for the first time. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Rickie should carry momentum into 2013 after winning his first tournament in 2012. I know he was frustrated not winning again and missing the Ryder Cup. Rickie nursed a sore back though much of the offseason and I hope it doesn't carry over into next year. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: Still a little too much hype for many of you, but I remain patient in the long-term. He banked about two-thirds of his 2012 earnings in three starts in May, the first of which resulted in his first (and, thus far, only) PGA TOUR win, which helped quiet his critics, but he'll have just snuffed the candles on his 24th birthday cake when he begin the new season. Besides, fantasy value is always relative, so it's on you if you invest early. Consider that he's averaged six top 10s per season in his first three years on TOUR, and he's ranked no lower than 36th in earnings (2011). Perfect leadoff for the third round, but until he fine-tunes his putting, he's unworthy in salary games at $3.066 million. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 18th

Final Playoffs ranking 28th

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To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Matt Kuchar prevailed over what is annually the best field in golf at THE PLAYERS Championship -- and before what used to be a home crowd, no less -- as he won for the fourth time in his career. He also posted top-10 finishes in two of the four majors. Is Kooch, who has 39 top-10s in the last three years, ready to take the next step in 2013?

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Kuchar started the final round of THE PLAYERS one stroke off the pace being set at the time by Kevin Na. He closed with a 70 and ended up winning by two strokes -- the first American champion since Phil Mickelson won the PGA TOUR's signature event in 2007. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: It's always pleasant when nice things happen to nice people. Win or lose, Matt always seems to have a smile on his face. He and his caddie Lance comprise the nicest twosome on the course. I thought his putting was better when he used a conventional length shaft and grip but you can't argue with results and Kuchar is THE PLAYERS champion. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: Coming off yet another year hovering around the $4-million mark ($3.9 million), but that total was a bit inflated for his win at THE PLAYERS, which has the biggest purse on the PGA TOUR. Furthermore, after consecutive seasons with 20 and 19 top 25s, he logged "only" 13 in 2012, but he still matched his 2011 total of top 10s with nine. He's mid- to late first-round value. If you're on the fence, the kicker is that he hasn't competed in fewer than 22 events (2012) since his return full-time to the TOUR in 2007. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 9th

Final Playoffs ranking 18th

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To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Last year was the tale of two seasons for Hunter Mahan. He won twice by April 1st, but his best finish in his next 16 starts was a tie for eighth, accomplished twice. Finding consistency throughout the 2013 season will be important if Mahan, who finished one spot shy of automatically qualifying for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, is to return to international competition at the Presidents Cup.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Mahan won his second World Golf Championships event when he took a 2-and-1 victory over Rory McIlroy in the finals of the Accenture Match Play Championship. Three starts later, Mahan rallied from two back to beat Carl Pettersson by one at the Shell Houston Open and take over the top spot in the FedExCup standings. He ended up 19th but he joined Steve Stricker as the only two players to play in all 24 Playoffs events. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: I felt so badly for Hunter when he missed the Ryder Cup team and admired the way he handled the situation. His chip on the 70th hole at The Shell Houston Open was one of the better shots of the season. I think he's a great driver of the golf ball with a penetrating flight. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: Despite his second-half fade, he still eclipsed $4 million for the first time in nine seasons on the PGA TOUR. Two victories including a World Golf Championship (Match Play) will do that for you. Turned 30 in May, so he's inching into his prime, which is a scary proposition given the high level of consistency he's authored over the last four years. Because he can undress flagsticks at a moment's notice, rarely misses cuts and plays a full schedule, plug him in late in the first round. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 6th

Final Playoffs ranking 19th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

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To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Lee Westwood re-joined the TOUR in 2012 and had a very solid season, posting seven top-10s in 15 starts and finishing 10th in the FedExCup Playoffs. With his eye on the majors and the $10 million FedExCup prize, Westwood is actually moving his family to south Florida this winter to better prepare. After nine top-10s in his last 19 major starts, will this year be the Brit's breakthough?

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Westwood tied for third at the Masters, missing the playoff between Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes. It was his seventh finish of third or better in a major since 2008. He finished the season strong, too -- posting two top 10s in the FedExCup Playoffs, highlighted by a tie for second at the BMW Championship -- and had two wins overseas. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Lee overheard me talking while hitting a shot and in the nicest way possible told me my voice was carrying. I sometimes wonder if the situation was reversed, if I would have handled it in the same manner. Lee is a great ball-striker who has improved his short-game. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: While he didn't win in 2012, his renewal of PGA TOUR membership was a boon for salary gamers. Now priced at just over $3 million, he's not as obvious an investment, but gamers love that he still has a chip on his shoulder as best active golfer never to have won a major. Meanwhile, the series of changes in his stable later in the season reflected both necessity and urgency. The X-factor moving forward is how he fares with new caddie, Mike Kerr, who spells the dismissed Billy Foster. However, expect nothing but business as usual in Westwood's progress and results. If anything, putting closure to that situation will erase any residual doubt. It most certainly eliminated an unfortunate distraction. I am bullish on the Brit. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 51st

Final Playoffs ranking 10th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN What is your prediction for Lee Westwood in 2013? Fill out the form below and let us know.

To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Adam Scott overtook Ian Poulter with a final-round 67 to win the Talisker Masters in his homeland in November but 2012 will always be remembered for the one the Aussie let slip away. So after finishing 15th or better in all four majors, including that career-high but disappointing solo second at the British Open, Scott will looking to take the next step in 2013.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Scott opened with a 64 and was nothing short of dominating at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, taking a four-stroke lead into the final round and poised for his first major title in 46 starts. He self-destructed with bogeys on the final four holes, though, and Ernie Els walked away wtih the Claret Jug for the second time in his career. He bounced back well with two top 10s in the FedExCup Playoffs on the way to a 25th-place finish overall. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: The British Open was filled with conflicting emotions for me. I was thrilled Ernie Els had won but felt terrible The Open had slipped away from Adam. Everyone likes Adam Scott. All the girls want to date him; all the guys want to swing like him. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: The Aussie took an $865K hit in salary, which means it's time to reinvest at $2.899 million. For critics that want to cite a lost opportunity at the British Open, I circle top-15s in all four majors and THE PLAYERS, and another appearance in the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Because he (still) hasn't won a major, some gamers are led to believe that his fantasy value is somehow disappointing, but go ahead and let them buy into that narrow-minded evaluation. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 32nd

Final Playoffs ranking 25th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN What is your prediction for Adam Scott in 2013? Fill out the form below and let us know

To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Last year marked the third two-win campaign of Zach Johnson's career. The steady man from Iowa didn't miss a cut until June and didn't miss another the rest of the year. Johnson, who went 3-1 in the Ryder Cup, has a Presidents Cup team to make this year so he'll need more of that consistency.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Johnson had already posted two runner-up finishes when he went to Fort Worth and won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial for the second time in three years -- despite a two-stroke penalty on the 72nd hole for playing his ball from the wrong place on the green. Five weeks later, Johnson notched another victory, this time in a playoff, at the John Deere Classic, a tournament he considers his hometown event. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Zach hit one of the great shots of the year when his approach out of the fairway bunker on the 18th hole in the John Deere playoff rolled up to within a foot of the cup. He does not hit the ball overly long but makes up for that with precision and putting. Johnson is one of the more physically fit players on TOUR. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: Classic case of it all coming together ... yet again. Basically copied his career year of 2009 with two wins and in excess of $4.5 million. He's not a first-round knockout artist like some of his behemoth brethren. Instead, ZJ is a surgeon, a tactician. What's great is that he has no issues teeing it up 25 times. You're likely going to get bonus starts at the Sony Open and RBC Heritage in addition to title defense at Colonial and the John Deere Classic. Don't hesitate late in the first round. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 4th

Final Playoffs ranking 12th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN What is your prediction for Zach Johnson in 2013? Fill out the form below and let us know

To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: Sergio Garcia's enthusiasm for the game returned in a big way last year as he won the Wyndham Championship -- breaking a victory drought of more than four years -- and nearly captured The Barclays the following week. Seeing him contend again in majors next year would be a boost not only for the Spaniard but for the game.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Three years after owning a share of the lead entering the final round of the Wyndham Championship only to miss the playoff, Garia converted his one-stroke advantage at Sedgefield into his eighth PGA TOUR win. Garcia closed with a 66 to beat Tim clark by two strokes -- and lock up his spot on the European Ryder Cup team in the process. The win moved Garcia from 102nd to 33rd in the FedExCup and he went on to finish 17th. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Garcia is my Comeback Player of the Year. I never thought his putting could improve so dramatically. I have a theory that good putters are happy people and Sergio seems to be smiling more both on and off the course. Improving from 144th to 26th in strokes gained-putting will put a smile on anyone's face. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: In a vacuum, he's barely a cornerstone before you fill out your roster with starts, cuts made and Americans. But he's Sergio. His cachet precedes him. You must remain patient. Consider that he barely reaches the membership minimum in starts and has posted just 10 top-10s over the last four years. He's unbuyable at $2.51 million in salary leagues, too. The lesson is clear. If you're going to invest, you must surround him with guys that are going to increase your number of starts as a team. If you've loaded up early in your draft, then consider taking a nibble. Just stick to the plan. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 33rd

Final Playoffs ranking 17th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN What is your prediction for Sergio Garcia in 2013? Fill out the form below and let us know

To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

MORE TOP 100: Back to No. 21 | Forward to No. 19 | Top 100 archive

2013 PREVIEW: Ernie Els will be seeking his 20th victory on the PGA TOUR in 2013, a number that would assure the affable South African of a lifetime membership. Here's the intriguing quesion: Can the four-time major champion -- who became the first male World Golf Hall of Famer in 18 years to win a major after his induction when he captured the British Open last summer -- branch out in 2013 and add the third or fourth leg of the career Grand Slam to his fine resume?

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: This one is easy. Els, who was on the comeback trail of sorts after finishing a career-low 67th in the FedExCup and 93rd on the money list in 2011, had already posted one runner-up finish when he came to Royal Lytham & St. Annes. He started the final round six strokes behind Adam Scott but closed with a brilliant 68 that included a phenomenal 32 on the homeward nine and won when the Aussie bogeyed his final four holes. Els' second Claret Jug came 10 years after his first. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Ernie still possesses the buttery tempo he had in his 20s. That tempo helped him win the British Open. I wonder if that's the last "hurrah" of his career or a springboard for more greatness. Els told me at the Accenture Match Play Championship that he was putting so well with the long putter, he might go back to conventional. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: His days of an automatic first-round pick are long gone, but there's enough fuel in his tank to still carry a team. His victory at the British Open aside, what impressed me most was that he made a career-high 22 starts in 2012. Sure, he tailed a bit after posing with the Claret Jug, but he picked off a co-runner-up at the HSBC Champions in November to quell our concern. And if you wanted to lean on one factor inside the ropes as to why he became relevant again, he improved an incredible 9.99 percent in scrambling as compared to 2011. For most guys, that doesn't even represent the endpoints for a career, much less a one-year shift. Of course, The Big Easy owns a legendary short game, so it was more of a return to form than anything else. To prepare realistically, now that he's 43, let him slide to the third round. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 11th

Final Playoffs ranking 26th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN What is your prediction for Ernie Els in 2013? Fill out the form below and let us know