Here at Waggle Room, we're going to do the cliche thing around this time of year and do a countdown of the top such and suches of the year.  For us, we're going to do the 9 golf stories from the year that fascinated us.

I realized the other day - as the ball was dropping in Times Square (ok, not really) - that I hadn't finished my 9 Fascinating Stories List before 2008 ended.  Oh no!  But, in the interest of time, I've decided to lump the final four stories together because you can probably figure out what they all are.

4.  The LPGA's Uncertain Future w/Annika's Retirement

Annika Sorenstam's decision to step away from competitive golf - for any amount of time - is a big deal for the LPGA Tour.  Though Lorena Ochoa is a rock star in North America, she has not reached the level that Annika has.  Paula Creamer has become the American women's golf icon, and thank God that she has.  We have young Asian-born stars, including Ji Yai Shin, that are making their mark on the best women's tour in the world.  The youth movement in women's golf is profound.  Oh, and there's Anna Rawson, Michelle Wie, and Natalie Gulbis to capture the attention of the wandering sporting eye.  In terms of talent and personalities, the LPGA Tour may have never been richer in its history.

At the same time, though, the economic reality is that the Tour will struggle in 2009.  It has three fewer events right now and about $5 million less in prize money over a year ago.  An absurdly high number of tournament sponsorships are up for renewal this year - a planned move by the LPGA that gambled on a better television deal for 2010 and into the future.  Now that the economy has changed (i.e., fallen apart), that gamble may very well dictate if the LPGA can take the next step or be thrown back almost a decade's worth of economic progress.  A continuing story this year will be the television negotiations, tournament sponsor issues, and whether or not this negotiation will make or break the tenure of Commissioner Carolyn Bivens.  And maybe with it, the entire LPGA Tour.

3.  The Changing Nature of the Major Championships

We talked earlier in the countdown about the phenomenal job done by Mike Davis and his championship setup team at the USGA for the Open at Torrey.  It looks like we're going to get an equally awesome effort at Bethpage next June and I'm stoked.  At the same time, it looks like Augusta National is digging in its heels on this current version of the Masters' home course that leaves many critics begging for persimmon woods and balata balls in exchange for the "old Augusta."  Across the pond, we have an Open Championship that literally is left to the wind to decide - which I love.  And the PGA of America cannot seem to decide for the life of them if they want to be the "fun but fair" major that we've seen in their last few efforts, or the "Tom Meeks Invitational" that we saw at Oakland Hills this past summer.

It appears clear, though, that the themes of the majors may be rearranging somewhat.  Pay close attention this year to the majors.  Will Augusta have decent enough weather to restore some confidence that a Sunday birdie and eagle charge is still possible?  Does Mike Davis continue to wow the golf world with his thought-provoking approach?  Don't worry about the Open Championship, other than Peter Dawson's hare-brained lengthy carries at Turnberry.  And will the PGA of America re-establish its modern identity at Hazeltine?

2.  The American Victory at the Ryder Cup

We've talked about this story and the #1 story at length so much this year that it's not worth discussing more.  Just close your eyes and imagine the hugs, tears, and popping champagne corks.  And hope that Corey Pavin can do the same in 2010.

1.  Tiger Woods' One-Legged Season

Do I need to say anymore about the season of the greatest golfer ever?  Nah.