McIlroy, Woods head Player of Year ballot

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AFP) –

Tiger Woods of the US (L) shakes hands with Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in October 2012. McIlroy and Woods were among five players nominated Monday for the PGA Tour player of the year award that will be voted on by their peers.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were among five players nominated Monday for the PGA Tour player of the year award that will be voted on by their peers.

Northern Ireland star McIlroy is the clear favourite after leading the tour with four wins, including an eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship.

He also won the Vardon Trophy and the US money title. The world number one also claimed the European money title, joining Luke Donald as the only players to top the earnings list in both Europe and the United States.

Woods captured three US PGA Tour titles this year. Also on the ballot are FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, Masters champion Bubba Watson and Jason Dufner.

The five candidates for rookie of the year are John Huh, Sweden’s Jonas Blixt, Charlie Beljan, Ted Potter Jr. and Bud Cauley, the only rookie contender not to win this year.

Huh is the only rookie who qualified for the Tour Championship.

PGA Tour members who played in at least 15 official money events in 2012 are eligible to vote, with the results to be announced in early December.