McIlroy named US PGA Tour Player of Year

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AFP) - Rory McIlroy, whose four United States PGA Tour victories in 2012 included a major title at the PGA Championship, was named the US tour's Player of the Year on Tuesday.

US tour members vote on the award, which made the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland the youngest player to be named Player of the Year since then 21-year-old Tiger Woods in 1997.

McIlroy authored a strong finish to the season, including his eight-shot PGA Championship triumph at Kiawah Island, winning the money title and the Vardon Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average.

"It's just a great way to end what has been a great year, my best season so far," McIlroy said.