PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. --- Six-time PGA Player of the Year Tiger Woods, a fourth-place finisher at last week's 87th PGA Championship, continues to hold a commanding lead in the 2005 PGA Player of the Year standings. Woods also didn't let his grip on the Vardon Trophy standings slip during the season's final major at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

Woods, who won PGA Player of the Year titles in 1997, and 1999-2003, has collected 170 points based on victories in the Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at Doral, Masters and British Open. He also retains his lead in money earnings and adjusted scoring average. Woods earned 50 bonus points for his second major triumph of the season at the British Open.

There are 14 events remaining before the PGA Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy race is completed.

Newly-crowned PGA Champion Phil Mickelson is second in the PGA Player of the Year standings with 92 points, after picking up 30 points for his victory at Baltusrol. He is third in money earnings and scoring average.

Mickelson is followed by Vijay Singh, the 2004 PGA Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy winner, with 76 points, while Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk share fourth place with 36 points. Singh owns four season victories and Mickelson has three. Singh trails Woods in the Vardon Trophy standings.

Woods, who won five consecutive Vardon Trophies between 1999 and 2003, owns a 68.70 adjusted scoring average through 56 rounds, while Singh has a 69.07 adjusted average based on 85 rounds. Mickelson is third at 69.10 after 60 rounds.

Since 1948, The PGA of America has honored the game's best players with The PGA Player of the Year Award. 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. 1, 2005 through The TOUR Championship, which concludes Nov. 6, 2005.

Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named 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 PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.