The PLAYERS Think Paddy Had a Bigger Year Than Tiger, Too

We talked the other day about the GWAA awards, including naming Padraig Harrington as Player of the Year.  Well, the players validated that selection and Paddy Harrington is the PGA Tour Player of the Year.  He is the first Euro to win the award since 1990 (Nick Faldo), first non-American since 2004 (Vijay), and only the second guy in the last 10 years to win the award that isn't Tiger Woods.

In a curious difference, the Champ Tour players selected Bernhard Langer as their POTY.  The press chose Jay Haas for a third straight year.  Then again, how many media actually watch the Champions Tour?  I'd trust the players.

Brandon DeJonge won for the Nationwide Tour.  Andres Romero won Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour even though he really wasn't a rookie.  By the same token, Ji Yai Shin should've been Rookie of the Year on the LPGA Tour as a nonmember.

And, alas, the two year reign of Comeback Player of the Year Steve Stricker is over.  Dudley Hart - coming off of a major medical exemtpion, six top 10s, and a 12th place money list finish - unseated Stricker and beat out Davis Love III and Rocco Mediate for the honor.