IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2014
2014 DOUBLE MAJOR CHAMPION RORY MCILROY IN COMMAND FOR A SECOND
PGA OF AMERICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD; TIGHT RACE FOR VARDON TROPHY
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Rory McIlroy, who staged a summer blitz with victories in the Open Championship and PGA Championship, is on track to win his second PGA of America Player of the Year Award in three years and possibly a second Vardon Trophy. The PGA of America’s premier season-ending awards for excellence by a PGA TOUR professional will be decided over the next month.
McIlroy captured the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational between his Open and PGA Championship triumphs, and is currently No. 1 on the money list. To earn a second Vardon Trophy, McIlroy must first complete the minimum 60 rounds, and surpass Vardon Trophy leader Sergio Garcia, who has completed 49 rounds and leads in lowest adjusted season scoring average at 68.858. McIlroy (who has 50 rounds) has an adjusted scoring average of 68.874.
Overall, McIlroy has collected 158 Player of the Year points, based upon 70 points for his three victories; 50 bonus points for garnering two major titles; 20 for leading the money list and 18 for his current position in the Vardon Trophy race. Reigning U.S. Open Champion Martin Kaymer is a distant second in the Player of the Year standings with 60 total points; followed by Masters Champion Bubba Watson with 58; and triple-event winner Jimmy Walker with 52.
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 for the 2013-14 season began with the Frys.com Open on Oct. 13, and continue through the TOUR Championship, which concludes Sept. 14.
Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by the PGA of America in honor of legendary British golfer Harry Vardon, is awarded annually to the touring professional with the lowest adjusted scoring average. It is based on a minimum of 60 rounds, with no incomplete rounds, in events co-sponsored or designated by the PGA TOUR. The adjusted score is computed from the average score of the field at each event.
The PGA TOUR also recognizes its annual Player of the Year, with the winner determined by a vote of the membership. The voting period commences after the conclusion of the TOUR Championship. The PGA TOUR Player of the Year, who receives the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, will be announced prior to the start of the 2014-15 season.
For more about the PGA of America, visit pgamediacenter.com
Contact: Jamie Carbone, PGA of America 561/624-8446
2014 PGA Player of the Year Standings
(Through 8/17/14)
Victory Money Scoring Bonus Total
Player Points Points Points Points Points
1. Rory McIlroy 70 20 18 50 158
(Open Championship, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship)
2. Martin Kaymer 50 10 -- -- 60
(The Players Championship, U.S. Open)
3. Bubba Watson 40 16 2 58
(Northern Trust Championship, The Masters)
4. Jimmy Walker 30 18 4 -- 52
(Frys.Com Open, SONY Open in Hawaii, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am)
5. Matt Kuchar 10 10 14 -- 34
(RBC Heritage)
6. Sergio Garcia -- 12 20 -- 32
T7 Adam Scott 10 -- 16 -- 26
(Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial)
T7 Jim Furyk - 14 12 -- 26
9. Patrick Reed 20 2 -- -- 22
(Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, WGC-Cadillac Championship)
10. Justin Rose 10 -- 6 -- 16
(Quicken Loans National)
Since 1948, the PGA of America has honored the game's best players with the PGA Player of the Year Award. The award is currently presented to the top PGA TOUR professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings, and scoring averages. Points are tabulated from Oct. 13, 2013 through the TOUR Championship, ending Sept. 14. In addition, 50 bonus points are awarded to players with more than one major championship in the same year, and an additional 25 points for each additional major championship.
2014 Vardon Trophy Standings
(Through 8/17/14)
Player Total Rounds Avg.
1. Sergio Garcia 49 68.858
2. Rory McIlroy 50 68.874
3. Adam Scott 52 69.268
4. Matt Kuchar 75 69.343
5. Jim Furyk 68 69.360
6. Graeme McDowell 58 69.521
7. Charl Schwartzel 52 69.613
8. Justin Rose 58 69.657
9. Jimmy Walker 84 69.738
10. Bubba Watson 60 69.807
Points are distributed based upon the following:
A) Tournament victories Points
PGA Championship 30
U.S. Open 30
Open Championship 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
Points
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
Points
1st 20
2nd 18
3rd 16
4th 14
5th 12
6th 10
7th 8
8th 6
9th 4
10th 2