PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2012) – Rory McIlroy, whose record-setting PGA Championship was the highlight of a four-victory year, cruised to his first PGA of America Player of the Year Award and the Vardon Trophy, The PGA of America's premier season-ending awards for excellence by a Tour professional.

McIlroy, 23, became the fourth youngest PGA Champion on Aug. 12 with a record eight-stroke triumph at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. He went on to capture both the season money earnings and adjusted scoring average titles. He finished with 100 points, while Tiger Woods – a three-time winner this season – finished runner-up with 66 points. Woods is the all-time leader in both season-ending awards, having captured 10 PGA Player of the Year awards and eight Vardon Trophies since 1997.

The PGA Player of the Year was first presented in 1948, and the Vardon Trophy originated in 1937.

McIlroy earned 60 victory points for his victories in the Honda Classic, PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship, and gained 20 points for the money earnings title and 20 more for adjusted scoring with a 68.87 average based upon the award minimum required 60 rounds. Woods earned 30 points for victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial Tournament and the AT&T National, and 18 points each for the season money list and season scoring average.

However, Woods was ineligible for the Vardon Trophy after withdrawing in the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship on March 11. The incomplete round resulted in a .10 penalty to his adjusted scoring average (from 68.90 to 69.00).

Jason Dufner and Masters Champion Bubba Watson tied for third with 50 overall points, followed by Tour Champion Brandt Snedeker with 36, and Matt Kuchar with 34.

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 are tabulated from Jan. 1, through the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, which concluded Nov. 11.

The PGA Tour also recognizes its annual Player of the Year. The voting period commenced today and ends on November 30th. The Player of the Year, who receives the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, will be announced by the Tour in December. Additionally, the Tour recognizes a Rookie of the Year. Both of the Tour awards are determined by a vote among Tour members.

Other season-ending honors to be announced by the PGA Tour include the Arnold Palmer Award for the leading money-winner and the Byron Nelson Award, presented to the player with the lowest adjusted scoring average (minimum of 50 official rounds).

Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by The PGA of America in honor of famed 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.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

&35;Ineligible for Vardon Trophy due to incomplete round on March 11; penalized .10 for scoring points in PGA Player of the Year Standings

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 Touring professional based on a point system for Tournament wins, official money standings, and scoring averages. Points are tabulated from Jan. 1 through the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, ending Nov. 11. 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.

Points are distributed based on the sum of the following: