THE BLOGCongratulations to Padraig
Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who won this year’s British Open and PGA Championship, has become the first from his homeland and only the second European player in history to win The PGA of America’s 2008 Player of the Year award. Harrington follows England’s Nick Faldo (1990) as the only Europeans to earn the prestigious season-ending award, which was first presented by The PGA of America in 1948. Harrington has accumulated 116 total points to date, which is more than enough to hold off challengers for the final four events of the season, which concludes Nov. 9. Harrington earned 60 points for his two major championships, 50 bonus points for achieving that feat and is currently eighth on the season money list to pick up six additional points. Harrington was ineligible to remain in the Vardon Trophy race, due to completing 52 of the required 60 rounds.
Nine-time PGA Player of the Year Tiger Woods, who has been sidelined since June 15,currently holds down second in the PGA Player of the Year standings with 78 points. Vijay Singh is third with 62 points, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia share fourth with 54.
The PGA of America has honored the game’s best players with The PGA Player of the Year Award since 1948. The Award is presented to the top touring professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings and scoring averages. Points are tabulated from Jan. 7, through the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, which concludes Nov. 9. Points are distributed based on the sum of the following:
A) Tournament victories: PGA Championship 30, U.S. Open 30, British Open 30, Masters 30, The Players Championship 20, All other PGA Tour events including World Championships series 10.
B) Money winnings: PGA Tour official money list — 1st 20, 2nd 18, 3rd 16, 4th 14, 5th 12, 6th 10, 7th 8, 8th 6, 9th 4, 10th 2.
C) Adjusted scoring average (min. 60 rounds): 1st 20, 2nd 18, 3rd 16, 4th 14, 5th 12, 6th 10, 7th 8, 8th 6, 9th 4, 10th 2.
