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. 2 | Top 100 Archive

2013 PREVIEW: Rory McIlroy admitted he lost his focus a little midway through the year -- he is, after all, just 23 -- but the prodigious Northern Irishman roared back and won three times in four starts, including his second major, to cap a stellar season that saw him post career-highs in earnings and wins. Not to mention, McIlroy staked his claim on the No. 1 spot in the world rankings and closed out his year by adding the Race to Dubai title to his PGA TOUR money list crown, leaving us anxious to see what the Player of the Year does for an encore.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: The first of many came at The Honda Classic where he shot four rounds in the 60s to beat Tiger Woods and Tom Gillis by a shot. McIlroy didn't win again until the PGA Championship but it was well worth the wait as he took a three-stroke lead into the final round and ended up winning by eight after a flawless 66 on the wind-whipped Ocean Course. McIlroy then proceeded to win twice during his first foray into the FedExCup Playoffs. He erased a three-stroke deficit with a 67 in the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, making birdie on five of his first eight holes. A week later, McIlroy won his sixth PGA TOUR event -- and second straight -- at the BMW Championship but he ended up second to Brandt Snedeker in the FedExCup race when he closed with a 74 at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and tied for 10th. ? Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS?QUICK TAKE: The best player on TOUR in 2012. You can marvel at his swing but it was his putting that impressed me last season. In 2010, his last full year on TOUR, McIlroy was 145th in strokes gained-putting. He jumped 63 places to rank 82nd in SGP in 2012. Rory is very good with the press, very good on the course and very good with the fans. If will be interesting to see if he can keep juggling all those balls in 2013. -- Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON뭆 FANTASY OUTLOOK: Right where he belongs. Don't sweat a reduced schedule as he made only 16 starts on the PGA TOUR in 2012 anyway, fewest among everyone inside the top 23 on the money list, which he led. Only salary gamers should remains hands off; otherwise, enjoy. -- Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

2012 QUICK REVIEW

Regular Season ranking 3rd

Final Playoffs ranking 2nd

NOW IT뭆 YOUR TURN

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