2012 hopes: A fight for No. 1, rising Scott, and a great Phil

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When Rickie Fowler finally gets his first stateside win in 2012, his popularity will soar even higher.

What a year.

The kids didn't know they were supposed to pay their dues. They were out to win. And did.

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Two of the three players who sat atop the world rankings still don't have a major championship and the one standing there at the end of the year -- Luke Donald -- did it with 19 top 10s, four of them wins. He also made history by leading both the PGA TOUR and European Tour money lists.

Belly putters ruled and Tiger Woods finally put it all back together. We lost Seve Ballesteros, but we gained a trio of young superstars named Rory, Rickie and Keegan.

Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter found their games at the end of the year and Jim Furyk squeaked into the top 50 -- and the Masters -- at the last minute. Yani Tseng blew the LPGA competition away with 12 wins and Lexi Thompson debuted with a pair of late-season wins -- at 16.

And now that golf has taken a brief pause for the holidays? Well, we can't help but start thinking about a few of those things we'd like to see in 2012.

So, here goes:

• Tiger Woods wins a major. We're eyeing the Masters, of course, where there's nothing more electrifying than a Tiger eagle or birdie run. Or a fifth Green Jacket. Yes, he's chasing Jack Nicklaus there too -- a magic six to go with the major 18. Tiger is no longer just getting close to top form, he's there. Shake your head at a limited field win at the Chevron World Challenge if you must, but a win isn't just a win. Not with him. Especially not when you put his last two years into the equation. If not Augusta, Olympic Club. Truth, now. You want to see No. 15 too.

• A battle for No. 1. Golf's new Big Three are ready to rumble. Heck, Westwood jumped McIlroy Monday morning to get to No. 2. Donald isn't giving up any ground. And they're all teeing it up on the TOUR fulltime this year. Add in Tiger, Adam Scott and an assortment of guys like Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell in the wings and ... well, it could be a lot of fun to watch.

• Rory and Rickie. Does anyone not think Rory is headed for the No. 1 spot sometime this year? He struggled a bit with the spotlight after winning the U.S. Open, made some changes in his personal life and ended the season worn out. A little rest and Wozzilroy will be ready for a strong -- but perhaps not major -- 2012. A win or two would be fine. And Rickie? The win in Korea will be a springboard to a win or two in the states. You only think he's popular now. Just wait.

• The Ryder Cup. Yes, another showdown, this one at Medinah. With so many European team candidates playing the TOUR this year, the Americans can't count on home course advantage to try and grab the Cup. So much talent on both sides. Could this be shaping up as one of the Ryder Cups for the ages? Sure has that feel.

• Belly putters. They'll still be making headlines, trust us. They'll win tournaments, change careers and keep tongues wagging. It's too late to pull back, but it's not out of the question to see the USGA and R&A taking a second look at anchoring them to your body. Stay tuned.

• Harrison Frazar and Darren Clarke. They taught us about persistence, passion and redemption with their 2011 wins and ... here's hoping they keep it going. Frazar went 354 starts before winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic, then he added a win at the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational in the fall. Clarke ended years of major frustration -- and questions about whether, at 42, his best golf was behind him -- with his win at the British Open. Struggling players everywhere had to be inspired by these two.

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We'd love to see even more of David Toms in 2012.

• David and Carter Toms. The best father-son story of the year that will spill over into 2012. Carter helps dad find the passion again for practice. Dad responds with two priceless weeks. After losing THE PLAYERS with grace, he puts it behind him and wins the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. If David wasn't on your short list for the Ryder Cup -- and a Ryder Cup captaincy -- he should be.

• Yani and Lexi. Oh my. When Lorena Ochoa retired, there was a void. Now, the LPGA is getting very interesting. If Yani follows up a dozen-win season with eight or more, look out. But if Lexi turns 17 and plays like she did at 16? We're thinking game on. No matter what happens, these two are changing the face of the women's game.

• Fred Couples. Watching him stroll the fairways never gets old. Watching him win on the Champions Tour or contend on the TOUR? Priceless. Those blood-spinning orthokine treaments delivered a healthier, less-creaky back last year. But figure that, no matter what, Couples will still be a part-time player. Just one who can win twice in five tournaments.

• Adam Scott. So close to a major last year, but ... did get a World Golf Championships win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Rest of the season was overshadowed by guys like Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele, but that was last year. The caddie kerfuffle is behind him, we hope. He's back with his tennis-star girlfriend Ana Ivanovic and he's poised to step back up into the top five. How good would Tiger-Scott be on the back nine at Augusta?

• Webb, Keegs, Nick Watney and the boys. Talented bunch that stepped up in 2011 and has to step up in 2012 to get to Medinah. They've learned how to win and creep up the world rankings. Now, to borrow a line from Fowler, its go time. Which one of the three will have a better 2012?

• Harrington. When he makes major changes in swing, look out. The next year. All of which means all that tinkering he does pays off. Like Clarke, one of the popular, engaging players in the game. Harrington goes on streaks and 2012 could be one.

• And finally ... Phil Mickelson. He's pushing 42, so it might be now or never. He's got his majors, but he's never led the money list or been No. 1. Never won Player of the Year. Could he get at least one of those this year? Best golf he played was in Houston, where he was just trying to work on shots for the Masters the following week. The Shell Houston Open got in the way and he won. Assuming his psoriatic arthritis stays under control and he figures out his putting stroke ... one of those missing items is quite possible.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM and can be reached at melaniehauser@gmail.com. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR. Follow her on Twitter @melaniehauser.