Top 100 players to watch in 2012: No. 2 Rory McIlroy The unruly curls. Those apple cheeks. Oh, and don't forget the killer golf game. That's what American fans have to look forward to in 2012 as reigning U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy rejoins the PGA TOUR. U.S. Open McIlroy profile Outside the Ropes McIlroy leads way McIlroy, who ended 2011 ranked second in the world, has decided to play a full schedule on TOUR for the second time in three years. He brings with him a magnanimous and magnetic personality as well as a penchant for winning majors that isn't likely to be sated soon. The 22-year-old McIlory nearly captured two last year -- losing a four-stroke lead with an 80 in the final round of the Masters but proving remarkably resilient in executing an eight-stroke victory two months later at Congressional. McIlroy's dominating U.S. Open win was his second in as many years on the PGA TOUR. He had three other top-10s this year in the States, where the young Northern Irishman says he feels "very comfortable," as well as nine more overseas, including a win at the UBS Hong Kong Open in the penultimate event of the European Tour season. McIlroy should fit seamlessly with the wealth of fearless young talent on TOUR right now.