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Cameron Smith Captures PGA of America Player of the Year Award & Rory McIlroy Wins Vardon Trophy
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Cameron Smith of Australia plays his shot from the 17th tee during the second round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 26, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Cameron Smith captured his first PGA Player of the Year Award, presented by the PGA of America for excellence by a PGA TOUR professional. Rory McIlroy claimed the Vardon Trophy, presented annually since 1937 to the touring professional with the lowest adjusted scoring average.
Smith tallied a career-best 96 overall Player of the Year points, just 2 more than Scottie Scheffler (94); McIlroy (62) finished third; Matt Fitzpatrick finished (52) fourth; and Xander Schauffele (47) was fifth.
Smith won three times during the 2021-22 season, including his first major win at The Open Championship in July. Smith also won at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and THE PLAYERS Championship, giving him 60 Player of the Year points.
Cameron Smith of Australia putts on the 16th green during Day Three of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 16, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Smith, 29, from Brisbane, Australia, also garnered 18 Player of the Year points for finishing second on the season ending money list based upon money earned at all counting events prior to the 30-player FedExCup finale, as well as 18 points for finishing second on the season long adjusted scoring average. Smith is the fourth Australian to win the PGA of America’s Player of the Year Award (Bruce Crampton, Greg Norman, Steve Elkington).
In the Vardon Trophy race, McIlroy finished first with a 68.670 adjusted scoring average based upon 60 complete rounds, following his victory at the TOUR Championship. Smith was runner-up at 69.203, followed by Fitzpatrick (69.217), Scottie Scheffler (69.293) and Xander Schauffele (69.462).
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 18th green during the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The Vardon Trophy, named by the PGA of America in honor of legendary British golfer Harry Vardon, requires a minimum of 60 rounds, with no incomplete rounds, in events co-sponsored or designated by the PGA Tour. The adjusted score was computed from the average score of the field at each event.
Since 1948, the PGA of America has honored the game’s best players with the PGA Player of the Year Award. It is presented to the top TOUR professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings and scoring averages. Points for the 2021-22 season began with the Fortinet Championship on Sept. 16-19, 2021, and concluded Aug. 25-28, 2022.
Since 1948, the PGA of America has honored the game’s best players with the PGA Player of the Year Award. It is presented to the top TOUR professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings and scoring averages. Points for the 2021-22 season began with the Fortinet Championship on Sept. 16-19, 2021, and concluded Aug. 25-28, 2022.
The PGA TOUR also recognizes its annual Player of the Year, with the winner announced in September, determined by a vote of the membership.
