Woods, who ended his campaign in June to have major knee surgery after winning the US Open, triumphed four times in just six starts on the 2008 PGA Tour and Harrington, who clinched both the British Open and PGA Championship this season, have been nominated along with American Kenny Perry, Fijian Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas of Colombia, the Tour announced today (Friday)

Perry, a 40-something veteran, picked up three 2008 PGA Tour titles within seven weeks and went on to help the USA win the Ryder Cup, three-times winner Singh clinched the lucrative FedExCup and a $US10 million bonus and Villegas claimed the last two FedEx Cup playoff events.

Woods, who won't start hitting balls again until January next year, is bidding to win the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Trophy for a record 10th time, and for a fourth consecutive year.

The PGA Tour also named their nominees for Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

Americans Dustin Johnson, Chez Reavie, Kevin Streelman and Marc Turnesa and Argentina's Andres Romero for the rookie honours while Americans Dudley Hart, Davis Love III and Rocco Mediate are up against each other for the Comeback award.

In each of three categories, contenders are nominated by the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council and Player Directors.

The awards are decided by PGA Tour members with the winners scheduled to be announced in mid-December.