2. Jason Day (Australia, Age 23)
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Australian Jason Day has enjoyed a breakout year in 2011 which has seen him rocket up to seventh in the world.
Unlike most players on this list, it wasn't a rapid rise to stardom for Day. Now 23, Day has taken a steadier approach since turning professional back in 2006.
It was then he began competing in PGA and Nationwide Tour events with just moderate success—although he won his first Nationwide Tour event in 2007, the Legend Financial Group Classic, becoming the youngest player to win on any of the PGA Tour's three tours.
It took Day until 2010 for his next win when he took out the HP Byron Nelson Championship to become the youngest Australian to win a PGA Tour event.
Day then came extremely close to winning a major twice this year. In both the Masters and the US Open, his first appearance in each event, he managed second place and flirted with the lead on both occasions.
He has proven to be a very consistent performer over the last two years and a big win looks like it is just around the corner.