Player gong for Padraig

Last updated: 15th October 2008

Padraig Harrington

Harrington: PGA Player of the Year

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Padraig Harrington's superb season has resulted in another award after the Irishman was named as the PGA Player of the Year.

The Irishman becomes just the second European to pick up the prestigious award after the PGA of American announced the decision and handed over the trophy before the Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda.

Harrington has risen up to become the world number after a sparkling year of form, which saw him successfully retain his Open Championship title before going on to win the USPGA Championship shortly after.

Britain's Nick Faldo, the latest European Ryder Cup captain, was the last man from the continent to win the accolade after his success in 1990.

The PGA Player of the Year was first awarded in 1948 with American Ben Hogan the inaugural winner.

A mathematical formula that weighs tournament wins, official money standing and scoring

Average is used to select the winner, and despite four events remaining on the US Tour this season Harrington had opened up an unassailable lead.

World number one Tiger Woods, a nine times winner of the award, still sits in second place even though he has sat out most of the season due to his knee surgery.

With Harrington sitting pretty on 116 points and Woods in second, Fiji's Vijay Singh is third on 62 with American Phil Mickelson and Spaniard Sergio Garcia tied for fourth on 54.