Stricker Clings to Top Spot in Race for PGA Player of the Year Award

Steve Stricker's steady play this season has enabled him to hold on to a narrow lead over Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson in the race for the 2010 PGA Player of the Year Award. Kuchar, who has made a strong run in the past few months, leads Stricker by 0.0129 of a stroke in one of the tightest races in many years for the Vardon Trophy. Stricker has earned 52 points, based upon 20 points for capturing the Northern Trust Open and John Deere Classic; along with garnering 18 for ranking second in adjusted scoring average (69.5827), and an additional 14 points for ranking fourth in the season money list. Kuchar and Mickelson are next with 50 points apiece. Kuchar combined his No. l perch in the money and scoring lists (20 points each), with his victory on Aug. 29 in The Barclays. Masters Champion Mickelson is fifth on the money list, earning 12 points; and is seventh in scoring (8 points). Ernie Els is fourth with 48 total points. Retief Goosen is third in the Vardon Trophy race with a 69.8072 adjusted average, which is just ahead of Paul Casey (69.8124). 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. 1, through the Children's Miracle Network Classic, which concludes Nov. 14. Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by The PGA of America in honor of famed 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.