Padraig Harrington, who elevated his legacy in the game by capturing this year’s Open and US PGA Championship, has become the first Irishman and only the second European player in history to win The PGA of America’s Player of the Year award.

Harrington follows England’s Nick Faldo (1990) as the only Europeans to earn the prestigious season-ending award, which was first presented by The PGA of America in 1948.

Harrington has accumulated 116 total points to date, which is more than enough to hold off challengers for the final four events of the season, which concludes November 9. Harrington earned 60 points for his two Major Championships, 50 bonus points for achieving that feat and is currently eighth on the season money list to pick up six additional points.

Harrington was ineligible to remain in the Vardon Trophy race, due to completing 52 of the required 60 rounds.

Nine-time PGA Player of the Year Tiger Woods, who has been sidelined since June 15 while recovering from knee surgery, currently holds down second in the PGA Player of the Year standings with 78 points. Vijay Singh is third with 62 points, while Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia share fourth with 54.

Garcia leads the Vardon Trophy standings with a 69.12 adjusted scoring average based on 72 rounds, followed by Mickelson with a 69.17 adjusted average based on 80 rounds. The Vardon Trophy winner will be announced November 9, following the Children’s Miracle Network Classic.

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 January 7, through the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, which concludes November 9.

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