Golf Writers Say Paddy is Better Than Tiger

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 15, 2008 3:52 PM EST

...in 2008. The Golf Writers Association of America - a self-important group that I would love to join because it would validate my work (thus, validating my own sense of self-importance) - announced its Players fo the Year today. Paddy Harrington won for the PGA Tour, Lorena Ochoa obviously did on the LPGA side, and Jay Haas did for the Champ Tour.

Harrington received 184 votes to 58 for Woods and five for Vijay Singh. Ochoa received 232 votes to Paula Creamer's 13. Yani Tseng received three votes. Haas' margin in the Senior Player of the Year was the narrowest. He received 115 votes to 79 for Bernhard Langer. Eduardo Romero was third with 50 votes.

Hey, at least the American golf writers didn't have a vote on the Euro Tour Player of the Year.

So, who is really the Player of the Year? What do the players think?

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Reached for comment earlier today...

…at his home in New Zealand, caddy Steve Williams had this to say about Padraig Harrington being named PGA Player of the Year:

“To hell with that mick bastard! He’s probably knee-deep in a bottle of Bushmill’s as we speak!”

The most beautiful phrase in the English language: "Touchdown, Alabama!"

by turnover on Dec 15, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions

careful there, Groucho

“I’d never join a club that would have me as a member.” :-)

What a year. You’d think someone would have stepped up with at least a relatively consistent season, but nobody really stepped up after Tiger broke down. I can’t give it to Tiger because he only played half a season – as great a half season as it was – I’ve never heard of anyone getting an MVP award only playing half the season.

Paddy stepped up in two majors – but stunk it up after the PGA and really wasn’t all that great before the British.

The only other player I had as a possible was Garcia – wins the Players and was right there in two majors.

My vote still goes to Harrington.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 15, 2008 4:30 PM EST reply actions

My vote, too.

Defending one major title, and then adding another a month later for good measure pretty much seals the deal for me.

The most beautiful phrase in the English language: "Touchdown, Alabama!"

by turnover on Dec 15, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

I think it is Paddy, too

I just wanted to rebel rouse a bit. 2 majors > 1 incredible major and a half season of greatness. Even Woods would say that since he feels that only the majors really matter.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 15, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Here's a question, though:

Who won the award in 1998? In so far as I can tell, O’Meara only won two tournaments that year, but they happened to be the Masters and The Open.

The most beautiful phrase in the English language: "Touchdown, Alabama!"

by turnover on Dec 15, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

O'Meara won that year

Could have made a case for Duval.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 15, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I reckon so.

I guess we’re all in agreement though that anyone who wins multiple majors in a given year is damn near guaranteed POTY recognition, and probably rightfully so.

The most beautiful phrase in the English language: "Touchdown, Alabama!"

by turnover on Dec 15, 2008 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

it's a mess...

…and you want to get lumped in with this bunch of media people ? :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 15, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions

so here's the real question...

Is the POY a useless award in the Tiger Woods era ?

Here’s another one – are the majors overrated in a season long award like the POY ? I can see using the majors as a tie breaker of sorts – but if a player only steps up two weeks of a possible 32, then can’t even hold a top 10 spot in the playoffs, missing the cut for the Tour Championship – is he really the player of the YEAR ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 15, 2008 5:12 PM EST reply actions

Hmm.

In answer to the first question: Almost.

With regards to the second question, I suppose I would just say that these year-end awards are, in almost any sport, little more than popularity contests. And since casual fans are likely to only watch the majors, it makes sense that the majors would carry more weight in the voting.

Similar dilemma are present in the year-end awards for another sport I love: horse racing. This year, for instance, Big Brown won the Derby and the Preakness in grand style, only to be eased in the Belmont. he then went on to win a handful of the big summer races for three year olds. Meanwhile, Curlin – racing at age 4 – wins the world’s richest race (the Dubai World Cup), the Jockey Club Gold Cup, etc., before throwing in a clunker in the Breeder’s Cup Classic (being run for the first time on a synthetic surface). (He also had a loss on the turf at Belmont over the Summer). Casual fans would almost surely see Big Brown as the HOTY, because the only races they see are the Triple Crown races. But Curlin spent the year racing against much tougher competition and spotting them weight, as well.

Me? I’d vote Curlin.

The most beautiful phrase in the English language: "Touchdown, Alabama!"

by turnover on Dec 15, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

BUT...

…Big Brown wasn’t in those big races later in the summer because of his injury – correct ?

fans of any kind – rabid or casual – don’t get to vote in any of these awards.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 15, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

I think I would go with that theory

2+ majors = automatic POTY

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 15, 2008 8:28 PM EST reply actions

??

2+ majors ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 15, 2008 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Not for this season

But, if a player wins 2 or more majors in a season, then automatically they’re the POTY. Paddy fits that billing.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 15, 2008 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

but...

…what if two players win two majors ? :-) (j/k)

This one of those situations with no clear cut answer and a lot of good arguments on many sides – but only one trophy to hand out. The best player on tour with the best record was clearly Tiger Woods – four wins and two seconds in six starts WITH a major win and a major second – but I wouldn’t give it to him because he only played half the season.

Garcia was in two majors down the stretch, won the players, and had an overall more consistent season than Harrington.

BUT – Harrington stepped up on the major stage twice – and majors seem to be what it’s all about these days.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2008 12:10 PM EST up reply actions