Surprise European PGA Tour Player of the Year Winner?
I just read this and thought it was a bit odd, considering like it says he didn't win in Europe at all this year. The European golf writers voted Vijay Singh European Tour player of the year. He did win the PGA, which counts on both tours, but I had to laugh at it. What happened to Miguel Angel Jiminez, or Retief or Ernie? They could have at least picked a guy who won an event over there or who plays there more.
I think European Tour player of the year can´t be a player who hasn´t won in Europe for the year. I believe Ernie, Miguel Angel or Retief would be my picks.
...the award is a `members only` award given to actual `members` of the european tour. V.J.Singh is an honorary member of the tour and as the tour has money/point earning events in places like Hong Kong, Australia,China,South Africa and of course America, this has to be taken into consideration or else it would be unfair. Although I can fully understand the confusion as the espn article does seem rather poorly written/researched !
[b]Well, I think Jimenez with 4 wins on the European tour is probably annoyed! After all, Vijay is only and "honorary" member of the tour and his only win was a co-sanctioned event (the PGA) played in the US. Vijay played in 9 total events counted by the European tour with 3 top 10's.....a good percentage, maybe, but POY? Well, obviously, I don't get a vote but as a fan......I disagree. Like they care!
Edit: rethinking this.....think the fact that someone who has at least some status on the European tour is #1 in WGR influenced the votes? After all, it is the first time is some years that anyone with an ER tour affiliation has attained that ranking!
[b]Vijay played in 9 total events counted by the European tour with 3 top 10's.....a good percentage, maybe, but POY? Well, obviously, I don't get a vote but as a fan......
I dont follow the european tour as much as the pga but I have to agree with you on this one 100%. Playing in 9 events in not enough. But then again I dont vote either.
Vijay played in only four events on European soil, but, because of the co-sanctioned aspect of world golf these days, he was credited with nine European Tour starts.
And, as Donnakay pointed out, Vijay posted only three top-tens in those nine European Tour starts. Not very scintillating.
Vijay did the bulk of his '04 damage in second-tier PGA TOUR events. But I guess the European Tour is recognizing his international accomplishments, even if they came on another tour. That PGA Championship victory sure helps.
Regarding Jimenez, the overwhelming majority of his recent success has come in European Tour events with fields no stronger than a decent buy.com TOUR field.
If you pull up Miguel's tournament report from the Official World Golf Ranking you'll see that, when he played against the game's top players, he really didn't do all that much.
Regarding Jimenez, the overwhelming majority of his recent success has come in European Tour events with fields no stronger than a decent buy.com TOUR field.
If you pull up Miguel's tournament report from the Official World Golf Ranking you'll see that, when he played against the game's top players, he really didn't do all that much.
I think thats a little insulting.
The Johnny Walker and BMW tournament in Germany are both big events with quality fields. In his most recent victory he went into the final round with Harrington, Bjorn, Faldo and David Howell in contention...does that count as quality opposition?
What about the Ryder cup, he was on that team, does the US Ryder cup team count as quality oppostion?
As for European player of the year I think the conditions should be changed so that you have to play eleven tournaments a year (same as the amount needed to retain full membership). Yes Singh did win a major but I would still put Jimenez, Goosen and Els ahead of him.
I have a good feeling that had the award been voted on by the euro tour players and not sports writers, M.A. Jimenez would have won it (and rightfully so, IMO).
December 15th, 2004, 12:56 PM
Like they care! 
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