Rory McIlroy Named 2019 PGA Tour Player of Year; Sungjae Im Wins Top Rookie

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has been named the 2019 PGA Tour Player of Year, while Sungjae Im has been voted the Rookie of the Year:

McIlroy enjoyed a successful 2018-19 season and finished on a high by claiming the FedExCup for a second time. The 30-year-old also took victory at the Players Championship and the Canadian Open.

He saw off competition from  2019 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar and Xander Schauffele to scoop the award.

The win is the third time McIlroy has claimed the Jack Nicklaus Award. He also received the honour in 2012 and 2014:

Tour commissioner Jay Monahan offered his thoughts on McIlroy's performances this season, per the PGA Tour's official website.

"While there are a number of honors one can receive in this game, PGA Tour Player of the Year has to be among the most satisfying as it comes directly from his peers. Rory's season was a model of consistency punctuated by milestone victories and ultimately the FedExCup in Atlanta."

McIlroy's win is something of a surprise as Koepka was also a strong contender to win the award. The American had a better record at the majors, winning the PGA Championship, finishing as runner-up at the Masters and U.S. Open and in a tie for fourth at the U.S. Open.

Koepka was also named the 2019 PGA Player of the Year for a second year in a row ahead of McIlroy in August:

Meanwhile, the Arnold Palmer Award is handed to Im after a strong season that ended with him finishing 19th in the FedExCup standings.

The 21-year-old's best finish was a tie for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando in March:

Im's consistency and maturity were a feature of his play in 2028-19 and saw him beat fellow rookies Matthew Wolff, Cameron Champ, Adam Long and Collin Morikawa to the award.