Rory McIlroy’s superb season just got better after the Northern Irishman was honoured by the Association of Golf Writers as its 2022 Golfer of the Year.
McIlroy joins Lee Westwood as the only player to win the award on four occasions having first been chosen in 2012 and then again in 2014 and 2015. The award comes off the back of a brilliant year on both sides of the Atlantic for McIlroy, who became just the second player to win both the Race to Dubai and FedExCup in the same year.
“I am honoured to be recognised for the fourth time by members of the Association as their AGW Golfer of the Year,” said McIlroy.
“I have always enjoyed a great rapport with members of the AGW and the media, in general, and it’s not lost on me how beneficial their work is at spreading the word of the game of golf around the world.
“The Association is to be congratulated for the work they undertake in continuing to report on golf in these ever-changing times and also their efforts each year to recognise achievements in the game with the hosting of this prestigious award.”
AGW Chairman Martin Dempster, speaking on behalf of the members, said: “Rory McIlroy is a worthy winner once again of our prestigious award, having become just the second player to be crowned as the No 1 on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour in the same season.
“There were lots of other strong contenders, including Matthew Fitzpatrick after his brilliant breakthrough major win in the US Open at Brookline, as well as Linn Grant, who won four times as she topped the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.
“However, Rory comfortably came out on top in our poll, which was an indication that, in addition to how he plays the game, AGW members also appreciate his frankness, which has certainly been evident this year in particular.”
US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick officially was second in the voting and with Sweden’s Linn Grant, the 2021 Ladies European Tour No. 1 coming in third.