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A18 SPORTS
Thursday 12 sepTember 2019
McIlroy tops Koepka for PGA Tour player of the year

mostly because of the 18
won by Nicklaus that set
the standard of greatness
in the sport.
This is the 10th time — and
first since Woods in 2013 —
that the Nicklaus Award
went to a player who did
not win a major. The award
began in 1990.
McIlroy said the award vali-
dated his decision to focus
strictly on the PGA Tour. He
said at the start of the year
at Kapalua, which he had
not previously played, that
his emphasis would be in
America. He did not play in
Europe until July.
The one disappointment
was his performance in the
majors. He didn’t seriously
contend in any of them
and missed the cut at Royal
Portrush in the first time in 68
years the British Open was
held in his native Northern
Ireland.
The rest of the year made
up for it. Was it his best
year? McIlroy won two ma-
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt during the final round the final round of the European Masters golf tournament in jors in 2014, finished among
Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Sunday, September 1, 2019. the top 10 in 16 of the 24
Associated Press events he played world-
By DOUG FERGUSON now,” Nicklaus told him. however, were the majors. tant? wide and ended the year
AP Golf Writer McIlroy won three times, in- He won the PGA Champi- “I think that’s a huge vote with a big lead at No. 1 in
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. cluding The Players Cham- onship, joining Tiger Woods of confidence from the the world.
(AP) — Rory McIlroy is the pionship and the Tour as the only back-to-back players that we play for “Look, every year’s differ-
PGA Tour player of the Championship to capture winners since the PGA more than maybe what ent. I’ve already had a
year, and even he was a the FedEx Cup and its $15 switched to stroke play in the narrative suggests.” year like 2014. I might have
little surprised. million prize. 1958. Koepka was runner- Koepka, who beat McIl- a year like that again,” Mc-
In a vote of the players, who He also had a tour-best 14 up at the Masters and the roy in the final group for a Ilroy said. “I’m happier with
presumably gave as much top 10s and finished out of U.S. Open, and he tied for World Golf Championship where my game is now. I
weight to the whole season the top 20 only four times fourth in the British Open, among his three titles, was feel like I’m a better play
as the four biggest weeks, in the 19 tournaments he nine shots behind. thought to be a shoo-in for now than I was in 2014, and
McIlroy won the Jack Nick- played. Nicklaus (1973), Woods his second straight Jack that gives me a lot going
laus Award over Brooks Ko- “I couldn’t be more proud (2005) and Jordan Spieth Nicklaus Award until the forward.”
epka. It was the third time to win this award for the third (2015) are the only other Tour Championship. The PGA Tour does not re-
McIlroy won the award, time,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, players to have finished in McIlroy thought he would lease the vote totals, so
and the first time without very ... somewhat surprised, the top four in every major still have a chance if won there is only an assumption
having won a major.”I’m but honored that my fellow for the year. the FedEx Cup, and then it was close. There hasn’t
at a loss for words,” McIlroy players thought enough of “Brooks had an incredible he posted four rounds in been this much debate
said Wednesday. my year to award me this year — an incredible two, the 60s to win, beating Ko- about the award since
Moments earlier, McIlroy honor again.” three years, whatever it is,” epka in the final group at 2003, when Woods won
was sitting down with Nick- Koepka, who won the PGA McIlroy said. East Lake. McIlroy joined over Vijay Singh.
laus at The Bear’s Club in of America’s player of the “He’s the No. 1 player in the Woods as the only players McIlroy also was curious
South Florida to receive year based on points, was world golf ranking. ... I think to win the FedEx Cup twice about his margin of victory.
the Byron Nelson Trophy for seen as the favorite for the this speaks volumes of what since it began in 2007. “I inquired, and they are
having the lowest adjust- tour’s award. PGA Tour players feel is im- “I know it’s going to sting keeping tight-lipped on
ed scoring average when He won three times, same portant. because he most likely will that,” McIlroy said.
a bronze of the Nicklaus as McIlroy, led the FedEx I think players don’t just feel win player of the year,” Mc- Sungjae Im of South Korea
Award was placed on the Cup in the regular season that four weeks a year is im- Ilroy said. was voted PGA Tour rookie
table. McIlroy looked at it and won the money title by portant. It’s more than that. The sting turned into sur- of the year. He was the only
and said, “I’ve already got nearly $2 million over Mc- We play a lot more. Why do prise. rookie to reach the Tour
two of those,” he said. Ilroy. What stood out the we play 25 times a year if Majors have become the Championship, and while
“Well, you’ve got three most in Koepka’s season, only four weeks are impor- strongest gauge in golf, he didn’t win, he began the
PGA Tour’s postseason at
No. 23 in the FedEx Cup. Im
is the first player to win the
linda.reijnders@cspnv.com rookie award without win-
ning a tournament since
Rickie Fowler in 2010.q