McIlroy is PGA’s best

I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve achieved this year.

RORY McIlroy bags the PGA Player of the Year crown for third straight time. AFP

MIAMI (AFP) — Rory McIlroy was named the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year, winning the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Award for the third time.

Northern Ireland star McIlroy, who was also handed the accolade in 2012 and 2014, came out on top after a vote by fellow tour professionals.

The 30-year-old beat out competition from Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar and Xander Schauffele for the award, which comes just weeks after his victory in the season-ending PGA Tour Championship.

McIlroy, who was presented with the award on Wednesday by golf legend Nicklaus, said he was “at a loss for words” after the accolade.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve achieved this year,” McIlroy said.

“I wanted to try and bring my best every single week that I played and I feel like I did that to the best of my ability.”

“The greatest compliment you receive is that your peers feel like you’ve done something pretty special and for this award to be voted on by my fellow players, I’m very humbled and very honored.”

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said McIlroy’s season was “a model of consistency punctuated by milestone victories.”

“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,” said Monahan.

McIlroy, meanwhile, admitted he had been somewhat surprised to pip PGA Championship winner and world number one Koepka to the award.

“I thought maybe Brooks winning the PGA Championship this year was going to be the difference-maker, but you know, the other players thought differently and I’m very honored that they thought enough of my season to give me this award,” McIlroy said.