PGA Tour rolls out Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year nominations
The PGA Tour has finally decided to put down its foot and let the verdict out for the Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year awards. The tour announced its nominees for both awards on Wednesday, November 9 and while most of the nominees were already
the most anticipated ones on the list, it was not without the usual stir as some of the expected names were missing from both lists.
The list has been finalized by PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council – a 16-member panel of players which represents both the players as well as the directors. Five players have been nominated for the coveted Player of the Year award including current world
number Luke Donald, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Nick Watney and Bill Hass.
Players, who, despite having a blistering year on the tour and were not selected included Steve Stricker, Charl Schwartzel, Mark Wilson and Bubba Watson.
The Rookie of the Year title will, however, be a much tightly contested one as no fewer than six players have been nominated for the accolade, all of whom have an excellent first year on the tour. Both Schwartzel and Bradley, being rookies on the tour, have
a strong chance of running away with the award. Other players include Chris Kirk, Scott Stallings, Brendan Steele and Jhonattan Vegas.
Donald is not only the current world number one but is also on top of the money list on both the tours. He has won twice on the PGA Tour this year along with several strong finishes. He also has the highest scoring average which further pulls the leverage
to his favour. Bradley, on the other hand, has won a major title, the PGA Championship on his Rookie start, something which Donald has not been able to achieve in his decade long professional career. Bradley not only pulled in the major title for the year
but also soared to the top at the PGA Grand Slam in Bermuda last month.
Simpson is also a strong contender in the race for the Player of the Year accolade with two wins on the tour. He won the Wyndham Championship in August this year and went over to card another victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship of the FedExCup Playoff
challenge.
The council will announce its final verdict in December.
Tags: