PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- With just eight events on his record this season, Tiger Woods has taken early command in the race for the 2007 PGA of America Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy.

Woods, a three-event winner this year, has collected 70 points to lead the hunt for a ninth PGA Player of the Year Award and a seventh Vardon Trophy.

Woods leads the money list and scoring list after completing 31 rounds for an adjusted scoring average of 69.06. He is followed by Vijay Singh, the 2004 PGA Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy winner, who boasts a 69.36 average based on 62 rounds. A minimum of 60 rounds is required to qualify for the Vardon Trophy, which recognizes a player’s season scoring excellence. Last year, Woods saw his chances for the Vardon Trophy fall short due to his abbreviated schedule resulting from the death of his father.

Phil Mickelson is second in the PGA Player of the Year Standings with 62 points, but has forfeited his Vardon Trophy opportunity due to a wrist injury at the Memorial Tournament that resulted in an incomplete round. He left the course after completing 11 holes.

Masters Champion Zach Johnson, tied with Singh for third in the PGA Player of the Year race with 54 points, also fell out of the Vardon Trophy race. Johnson failed to complete the first round of The Memorial, retiring after 15 holes when he was stricken with strep throat. Both Mickelson and Johnson were penalized .10 in the scoring average category that makes up one segment of the PGA Player of the Year standings.

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 Disney Classic, which concludes Nov. 4.

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 is the world's largest working sports organization comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.

2007 PGA Player of the Year Standings
Through the Stanford St. Jude Championship, ending 6/10/07

Player Victory
Points Money
Points Scoring
Points Bonus
Points Total
Points
1. Tiger Woods 30 20 20 70
(Buick Invitational, WGC-CA Championship, Wachovia Championship)
2. Phil Mickelson 30 18 14 62
(AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, The Players Championship)
T3. Vijay Singh 20 16 18 54
(Mercedes Benz Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational)
T3. Zach Johnson 40 14 54
(The Masters, AT&T Classic)
5. Rory Sabbatini 10 12 22
(Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial)
6. Adam Scott 10 10 20
(Shell Houston Open)
7. Charles Howell III 10 8 18
(Nissan Open)
T8. K.J. Choi 10 6 16
(Memorial Tournament)
T8. Jose Coceres 16 16

T10. Scott Verplank 10 2 12
(EDS Byron Nelson Classic)
T10. Aaron Baddeley 10 2 12
(FBR Open)

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.

2007 Vardon Trophy Standings
Through 6/10/07

Player Rounds Avg.
1. Tiger Woods 31 69.06
2. Vijay Singh 62 69.36
3. Jose Coceres 27 69.48
4. Ernie Els 31 69.58
5. Robert Allenby 48 69.60
6. Sergio Garcia 40 69.79
7. Jim Furyk 46 69.90
8. Luke Donald 45 69.92
9. Scott Verplank 44 69.93
10. Vaughn Taylor 48 69.98