TOUR announces nominees for season-ending awards

text size

Redington/Getty Images

Was two-time 2008 major winner Padraig Harrington the player of the year? He's on the PGA TOUR ballot.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR released its nominees for three 2008 season-ending awards including the Player of the Year, the Rookie of the Year and the Comeback Player of the Year.

Nominees for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy as the PGA TOUR Player of the Year are Padraig Harrington, Kenny Perry, Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas and Tiger Woods.

The nominees for Rookie of the Year include Dustin Johnson, Chez Reavie, Andres Romero, Kevin Streelman and Marc Turnesa.

Dudley Hart, Davis Love III and Rocco Mediate are the three players on the ballot for Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Players were nominated for each respective award by the PGA TOUR Player Advisory Council (PAC) and Player Directors. The awards are determined by a member vote, with PGA TOUR members who played in at least 15 official money events in 2008 eligible to vote. The winners of the three awards will be announced in mid-December.

In 2007, Tiger Woods claimed his third straight and ninth overall Jack Nicklaus Trophy. Brandt Snedeker was named the Rookie of the Year and Steve Stricker received his second straight Comeback Player of the Year honor.

The "Opening Drive" of the 2009 PGA TOUR season begins at the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship, Jan. 8-11 in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.