Tour Report: No. 12 Jason Dufner

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

SOCIAL MEDIA: Find him on Twitter | Facebook

2012 QUICK REVIEW

Starts: 22

Cuts made: 21

Rounds played: 82

Top-10 finishes: 8

Money List rank: 4th

Driving distance: 64th

Driving accuracy: 21st

Greens in regulation: 8th

Strokes gained-putting: 80th

Scoring average: 4th

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

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