McIlroy bags another award

He may not have nabbed the SPOTY award, but Rory McIlroy has been named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for 2014.
The world No 1 won five times during the year, including two major titles as well as his first World Golf Championship, making him a perennial favourite in the Paddy Power betting stakes.
McIlroy enjoyed his most stunning run of form during July and August, when he followed up his Open Championship victory at Hoylake with wins at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
“To be named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for a second time is a huge honour and one I am extremely proud of,” said McIlroy, the youngest player in history to win the accolade twice.
The 25-year-old comfortably wrapped up the PGA Tour Money List title and was a stand-out winner of the PGA Player of the Year award, and he was crowned Race to Dubai champion a week ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy finished the European season over two million euros ahead of Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai standings as he became the first player to twice win the Money List titles on both main Tours in the same season.
McIlroy also played a pivotal role in Europe retaining the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, and his singles victory over Rickie Fowler was one of the greatest performances in the history of the competition.
“If I had won any one of those four titles it would have been a good year, but to win all four, to win The Race to Dubai, and to be part of another fantastic European victory in The Ryder Cup, means it is a great one,” McIlroy added.
“This award is a very nice way to round off the year. The European Tour has always been good to me, so it is always special to be recognised in this way. Hopefully I can have more years like this one and win the award again.”
European Tour chief executive George O’Grady added: “The 2014 season will go down as one of the greatest in the European Tour’s history, and it will be defined by Rory McIlroy’s astounding accomplishments on the global stage.
“Europe’s performance to retain The Ryder Cup and Martin Kaymer’s dominant victories in the US Open and Players Championship on the PGA Tour alone would have made it a year to remember for European golf.
“But Rory’s victories in four of the biggest championships on our International Schedule will ensure the story of this season is retold for many years to come. Quite rightly, therefore, it is Rory who receives our Golfer of the Year Award for 2014.”
Will 2015 be another year to remember? And who do you fancy in the early running? Whatever the answer, Paddy Power has you covered if you fancy a punt.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy on top but not getting ahead of himself at US PGA Championship
The Northern Irishman carded seven birdies and two bogeys in an opening 65 to record his lowest round in a major since the 2011 US Open.
-
News
UPS delivers a sponsorship setback to Lee Westwood
The company has ended its deal in an apparent response to Westwood’s involvement with a series of Saudi-backed events.
-
PGA Championship
Tyrell Hatton shares slow play fears as US PGA begins at Southern Hills
This week’s course layout in Tulsa looks set to exacerbate the issue.
-
PGA Championship
‘Recharged’ Shane Lowry excited for week ahead at US PGA Championship
Lowry has finished no worse than 35th in his nine starts this season.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth relishing playing alongside Tiger Woods in career grand slam bid
Spieth has had five attempts to complete the grand slam since adding the 2017 Open title to the Masters and US Open he won in 2015.
-
News
‘He has his opinion, I have mine’ – Tiger Woods on Phil Mickelson controversy
Woods said Mickelson’s comments about the PGA Tour have been “polarising”.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy hoping relaxed approach pays dividends at US PGA Championship
McIlroy did his research via videos posted online before travelling to Oklahoma on Monday.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods believes he can scale another mountain and win US PGA Championship
The 46-year-old finished 47th in the year’s first major, his first top-level event since suffering severe leg injuries.
-
News
Rory McIlroy was pretty sure Saudi-backed breakaway would not happen
The Northern Irishman is waiting to see how it plays out.
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg