Who's going to come away with the 2008 player of the year award? Let's list the nominees. Kenny Perry, Tiger Woods, Camillo Villegas, Vijay Singh and of course, Padraig Harrington.
Perry won three times on tour this year to claw his way onto the Ryder Cup team, which he insisted was his goal the entire time. I wonder how many times the player of the year has won the John Deere Classic and played in only one major. I'm sorry Kenny Perry fans, but this is completely unacceptable. Who gives a shit about the John Deere Classic and a guy who withdrew in the only major he played in after an opening round 79? No chance Perry wins.
Camillo Villegas finished the season off like a demon winning his last two starts, which both happened to be playoff events. However, prior to these two wins (the first of his career) Villegas hadn't really done a whole lot else. He wasn't awful in the majors (MC, T9, T39 & T4) but had only 8 Top 20's in 22 starts. Outside of those two huge season-ending wins, he was just okay.
You could make a case for Vijay in 08. After a couple of so-so seasons the past couple of years, Singh rebounded to win the 2008 money title and picked up three wins. His major performance was less than average though, being cut in the British and PGA Championship respectively. He did manage 12 top 20's in 23 starts and won the FED EX Cup winning two of the four playoff events. The Money title, three victories and FED EX CUP victory all mean Vijay should merit some consideration. Not my pick.
Padraig Harrington is going to garner serious consideration after he exploded this year by winning the British Open and followed it up with a win at the PGA Championship. Even though he played only fifteen events on the PGA Tour, he finished 8th ont he money list and also had a T-3 at the Northern Trust, two T-4's at the St. Jude and Zurich Classic respectively and a T-5 at Augusta. Harrington had the best record at all four majors in 2008, but did he play in enough events? Just a question that some may ask, though his performance is tough to overlook.
Tiger Woods finished second on the PGA Tour money list. He played but a mere 6 events. He won the Buick, the WGC Match Play, Arnie's Event and of course the U.S. Open. Some may argue Tiger didn't play enough of the season to win the Player of the year award, which I think is idiocy. The man played, and won the U.S. Open with a torn ACL and stress fracture in his leg. Let's not forget, he also finished 2nd in the Masters with those same issues. Simply put, he's a super-human freak. There is no one else in the World, ever, who would have made that putt to get into the playoff at Torrie Pines. One back with one to play in the playoff, needing birdie to force extra's, he does it. I would have loved to see him healthy and finish this season, it may have been a joke. My vote goes to Tiger. It will always be so.
In case you're not aware, I'm completely bias towards Tiger Woods with respect to pretty much everything. That being said, he'd still get my vote as he's simply better than everyone else.
Rocco gets my comeback player of the year award simply because Davis Love III is a complete douche.
Chez Reavie gets my Rookie of the year award, as he won my National Open and wears Quagmire apparel, which is badass.
More to come...
1 comment:
It is always important to vote for someone named Rocco as comeback player of the year
Post a Comment