McDowell, Yani named US Golf Writers’ players of the year
The Golf Writers’ Association of America (GWAA) has declared its awards for the players of the year in their respective categories. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was chosen as the men's golfer of the year, while Yani Tseng from Taiwan was voted the
Women’s golfer of the year. The senior player of the year award was given to Germany's Bernhard Langer.
Graeme McDowell won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach last June to become the first European to win the event for forty years. The Irishman received 87 votes compared to 61 votes for Jim Furyk and 51 votes for Martin Kaymer. Furyk won the U.S. PGA Tour playoff
this year, while Martin Kaymer won the Race to Dubai.
McDowell also received the trophy from the British-based Association for Golf Writers’ for 2010. He has also been nominated for the BBC Sports personality of the year award. McDowell has had an amazing season so far, which is evident from all the honours
he is receiving. Not only did he win a major, he also scored the winning putt for the European Team in the Ryder Cup. He has also won three other titles including his win at the Andalucía Masters in Valderrama, and his most recent triumph at the Chevron World
Challenge in California.
McDowell’s victory at the Chevron Challenge was definitely the cherry on top of his perfect season, as he defeated the 14-time major winner Tiger Woods in his own tournament. Tiger and Graeme went into a playoff, and despite Wood’s efforts to win at least
one event this year, he was beaten by Graeme.
Yani Tseng, who has also won the Rolex Player of the Year award, won two major titles this year. Yani was triumphant at the Women’s British Open and the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She received 137 votes as compared to 32 for the American Criste Kerr, and
31 for Japanese Ai Miyazato. Finishing fourth on the LPGA money list, Tseng has had an amazing year.
As for the senior player award, there was no shocker there. Langer has won the Senior British Open at Carnoustie and the U.S. Senior Open. This German golf legend is also leading the Champions Tour money list for this season. Langer obtained 187 votes compared
to 13 votes for the American Fred Couples.
All the winners will receive their awards in a ceremony on 6 April, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia.
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