You’d smile, too, if you won two majors in a row.
(Richard Walker/Flickr)
PADRAIG HARRINGTON WAS VOTED TIGER WOODS (PGA Tour player of the year) by his peers. He beat out Tiger Woods.
I jest, but it really has been the Tiger Woods Award for the last dozen years. Tiger has won player of the year (POY) nine times.
Seriously, though, if Harrington didn’t win POY in 2008, then they might as well just hand it to Tiger every year until he retires. (Which will probably happen anyway.)
I know, I know. I’ve read the arguments for Tiger. Yes, he had a great year. Yes, he won four of the six tournaments he entered. Yes, he won the U.S. Open in epic fashion. (They’ll be talking about that long after anyone remembers or cares who won POY in 2008.)
But here’s the thing. How long have the golf media and fans been harping on Tiger’s peers to step up and win majors (plural)? This year, somebody did.
Harrington was the first player in 20 years (besides Tiger) to win successive majors. And Paddy has won three of the last six grand-slam events. The players got it right.
−The Armchair Golfer
Tiger wasn’t going to get the award this year if he had won 8 or 9 times before the Open. The Tour just wouldn’t give an award to someone who was only able to play half a season.
What are the odds that Sergio sent Paddy a congratulatory note/text? Probably about as good as Steve and Mickelson exchanging x-mas cards this year.
Padraig was a good choice, it good to see that there are other players on the field. While Tiger is out, these players need to be making a move when the season starts.
If it wasn’t Tiger than Paddy had to win….but not sure if I would have picked him over Tiger. How many tournaments did he win besides the 2 majors?
I thought this was a no brainer. He’s a good guy, too so it was nice to see him win 2 majors. It was also nice to see him disappear in the Ryder Cup.
A good second choice but Tiger was the real player of the year in 2008. It remains to be seen what he can do in 2009. Harrington, as good as he is and as determined as he is, is still no Tiger. I guess he may be as close as anyone else but that’s about it.
LadyGolfer: Harrington just won the two majors, no other tournaments.
STIX: As I understand it, the players vote on the award, so they could have selected Tiger even though he only played half the year.
Mr. Armchair – You’re right, the players vote on the award. I was trying to allude to that, but should have been clearer 😉