Jordan Spieth Named PGA Tour's Player of the Year

In a decision that surprised few people, given his dominance, world No. 1 Jordan Spieth was honored by being named  PGA Tour Player of the Year  Friday, per Will Gray of the Golf Channel.

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“The PGA TOUR enjoyed a sensational season from every perspective as our young stars shone brighter than ever before, but none brighter than the PGA Tour Player of the Year Jordan Spieth,” said Commissioner Tim Finches, according to the Tour's official announcement.  “He captivated us throughout a memorable year that included the FedExCup and five victories, highlighted by two major championships. And the sportsmanship he displayed in both victory and defeat was a stirring indication of the role model and ambassador he has become in a very short period of time.

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Jason Day's late-season tear vaulted him into the conversation for the award, but Spieth claimed the FedEx Cup title by winning the Tour Championship in the postseason finale. That came on the heels of Day winning four of six starts, including his maiden major at the PGA Championship.

But Spieth was in the hunt to win all four majors. Like Day, he finished a single stroke out of the Open Championship playoff at St. Andrews and had seven three-putts that week that contributed to the denial of his Grand Slam bid.

If not for Day's record-setting score to claim the Wanamaker Trophy, Spieth may well have had three major victories to his name this calendar year. Regardless of what happened in the playoffs, the 22-year-old may have locked up the award just by winning the Masters and U.S. Open.

Instead of resting on his laurels and tapping out after missing the first two cuts of the FedEx Cup postseason, Spieth dug deep, rediscovered his game and capped off his 2014-15 campaign in style. The question is how Spieth can possibly top a year in which he claimed just over $22 million in on-course earnings.

Rookie of the year Daniel Berger took to Twitter to congratulate Spieth: 

Golf Channel's Justin Ray put into perspective how successful Spieth was this year:

There will be a target on Spieth's back, so to speak, as the other world-class golfers attempt to give him a significant challenge. Day elevated his own play amid Spieth's sensational season, as did Rickie Fowler en route to two huge wins.

Some combination of those three will figure into just about every Player of the Year race in the coming years, as will Rory McIlroy. The next big event even the most casual golf fans will tune in for is April's Masters, where Spieth will guard the green jacket as McIlroy seeks to complete the career Grand Slam.

For now, it's worth savoring the magnificent golf Spieth played throughout the season. He had five wins, four runner-up finishes and 15 Top 10s in 25 events played. With two majors on the resume as well, Spieth is well deserving of Player of the Year honors.

Note: Stats courtesy of PGATour.com.