PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Sergio Garcia of Spain accomplished a feat in 2008 that has eluded the finest players from Europe for more than seven decades - winning the Vardon Trophy - a piece of hardware that represents excellence scoring consistency among one's peers. Garcia was presented the award by PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka prior to the opening of The Honda Classic.
2008 Vardon Trophy presentation with Sergio Garcia and PGA CEO Joe Steranka
Sergio Garcia is presented with the 2008 Vardon Trophy by PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka. (Photo: The PGA of America)
The Vardon Trophy, first presented to English-born Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper in 1937 for season-long scoring excellence, was awarded following a 2008 campaign that marked the first year in which two of The PGA of America's prestigious season-ending awards were won by European players.
Double major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland earned the PGA Player of the Year Award in October 2008. Harrington and England's Nick Faldo (1990) are the only Europeans to earn the PGA Player of the Year Award, which was first presented by The PGA of America in 1948.
Garcia completed 72 official rounds on the PGA Tour, posting an adjusted scoring average of 69.12. Phil Mickelson was runner-up with a 69.17 adjusted averages based on 80 rounds, while Anthony Kim - one of the U.S. standouts in the 2008 Ryder Cup - was third at 69.28 based on 81 rounds.
"Sergio accomplished a tremendous feat where he went down to the wire last season and narrowly edged Phil Mickelson," said Steranka. "By his play, he showed how consistent he was from start to finish in 2008. It is remarkable when you look back upon all the great European players that he is the first European-born player since 1937 to win the Vardon Trophy. It makes a statement about the globalization about the professional game."
Garcia also tied for fourth with Mickelson in the final PGA Player of the Year standings, determined following the Children's Miracle Network Classic that concluded Nov. 9.
The adjusted score is computed from the average score of the field at each event. Harrington accumulated 116 total points in the final PGA Player of the Year standings, but was not eligible for the Vardon Trophy due to his not meeting the minimum required number of 60 complete rounds. Harrington finished with 52 official rounds.
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FINAL 2008 Vardon Trophy Standings
Player Rounds Avg.
1. Sergio Garcia 72 69.12
2. Phil Mickelson 80 69.17
3. Anthony Kim 81 69.28
4. Camilo Villegas 79 69.49
5. Vijay Singh 82 69.58
6. Jim Furyk 95 69.69
T7. Robert Allenby 108 69.73
T7. Stuart Appleby 87 69.73
9. Justin Leonard 101 69.77
10. Kenny Perry 97 69.83
