Rory McIlroy primed to win PGA of America Player of the Year Award

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 during 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.

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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.

2014 PGA Player of the Year Standings (Through 8/17/2014)

Place-Golfer-Victory Points-Money Points-Scoring Points-Bonus Points-Total Points

1-Rory McIlroy-70-20-18-50-158
2-Martin Kaymer-50-10-0-0-60
3-Bubba Watson-40-16-2-0-58
4-Jimmy Walker-30-18-4-52
5-Matt Kuchar-10-10-14-0-44
6-Sergio Garcia-0-12-20-0-32
T7-Adam Scott-10-0-16-0-26
T7-Jim Furyk-0-14-12-0-26
9-Patrick Reed-20-2-0-0-22
10-Justin Rose-10-0-6-0-16

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 8/17/2014)

Place-Player-Total Round-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-JimFuryk-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

Player of the Year points are distributed through 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    

1st       20 points
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 points
2nd       18
3rd        16
4th        14
5th        12
6th        10
7th        8
8th        6
9th        4
10th      2