PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who wrote a remarkable chapter in major championship history over the past few weeks with victories in the British Open and PGA Championship, has taken a commanding lead in The PGA of America’s 2008 Player of the Year point standings.

Harrington also leads the Vardon Trophy race, and with 44 completed rounds, needs to record 16 additional complete rounds to meet the required minimum of 60 rounds for one of the most prestigious season-ending awards.

Should Harrington continue his momentum toward both awards, he would be the first European since Nick Faldo in 1990 to win the PGA Player of the Year Award and would be the first-ever European to capture the Vardon Trophy, presented annually by The PGA of America since 1937 (not awarded from 1942-’46 due to WWII).

Harrington has accumulated 144 total points toward earning his first PGA Player of the Year award, based on 60 points for his two major championships, 50 bonus points for achieving that feat, 14 points for his standing on the season money list and 20 points for leading with an adjusted scoring average of 69.28.

Tiger Woods, who ended his season in June to undergo and recover from knee surgery, is second in the PGA Player of the Year standings with 80 points. Kenny Perry, a three-time winner this season, is next with 62 points, while Phil Mickelson is fourth with 56 points.

Mickelson is second in the Vardon Trophy standings with an adjusted scoring average of 69.42, based on 65 rounds. He is second on the money list with 18 points and has won two events.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

2008 PGA Player of the Year Standings
Through the PGA Championship ending 8/10/08

The PGA of America has honored the game's best players with The PGA Player of the Year Award since 1948. The Award is currently presented to the top touring professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings and scoring averages. Points are tabulated from Jan. 7, through the Children's Miracle Network Classic, which concludes Nov. 9. In addition, 50 bonus points are awarded to players with more than one major championship in the same year, and an additional 25 points for each additional major championship.

Player Victory
Points Money
Points Scoring
Points Bonus
Points Total
Points
1. Padraig Harrington 60 14 20 50 1440
(British Open, PGA Championship)
2. Tiger Woods 60 20 * 80
(Buick Invitational, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, U.S. Open)
3. Kenny Perry 30 16 16 62
(Memorial Tournament, Buick Open)
4. Phil Mickelson 20 18 18 56
(Northern Trust Open, Crowne Plaza Invitational)
5. Anthony Kim 20 8 10 38
(Wachovia Championship, AT&TNational)
6. Sergio Garcia 20 4 12 36
(The Players Championship)
7. Vijay Singh 10 16 8 34
(WGC-Bridgestone Invitational)
8. Trevor Immelman 30 30
(Masters)
9. Stewart Cink 10 10 4 24
(Travelers Championship)
10. Justin Leonard 10 6 16
(Stanford St. Jude Championship)
(* - Ended season June 15; not eligible for Vardon Trophy)

2008 Vardon Trophy Standings
Through 8/10/08

Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by The PGA of America in honor of famed British golfer Harry Vardon, is awarded annually to the touring professional with the lowest adjusted scoring average. It is based on a minimum of 60 rounds, with no incomplete rounds, in events co-sponsored or designated by the PGA Tour. The adjusted score is computed from the average score of the field at each event.

Player Rounds Avg.
1. Padraig Harrington 44 69.28
2. Phil Mickelson 65 69.42
3. Kenny Perry 82 69.56
4. Luke Donald 35 69.58
5. Sergio Garcia 56 69.67
6. Anthony Kim 65 69.73
7. Vijay Singh 64 69.77
8. Robert Allenby 802 69.78
9. Stewart Cink 67 69.83
10. Brian Gay 70 69.94
Points are distributed based on the sum of the following:

A) Tournament victories Points
PGA Championship 30
U.S. Open 30
British Open 30
Masters 30
The Players Championship 20
All other PGA Tour events, including World Championships series 10

B) Money winnings: PGA Tour official money list Points
1st 20
2nd 18
3rd 16
4th 14
5th 12
6th 10
7th 8
8th 6
9th 4
10th 2

C) Adjusted scoring average: min. 60 rounds Points
1st 20
2nd 18
3rd 16
4th 14
5th 12
6th 10
7th 8
8th 6
9th 4
10th 2