Why Not Tseng?

I was looking over a press release from Golf Magazine declaring that Rory McIlroy is their “Player of the Year” and all I could think was: Why not Yani Tseng?

For the year, Tseng has seven wins, and thirteen top tens. One of those wins was the British Women’s Open.

In comparison, McIlroy has one win (albeit the US Open) on the European and PGA Tours and ten top tens (he also has that victory in Shanghai).

Doesn’t seem like there’s any comparison. Tseng by a length.

I’d even argue that McIlroy hasn’t put in the best performance by a male player. That probably belongs to Luke Donald, with two wins on the PGA Tour and two more on the European, plus the money title. That’s a remarkable year, even without a Major. Keegan Bradley also has two wins, including a Major. Mark Wilson and Nick Watney also have two wins.

The release somehow tries to justify the pick by saying that McIlroy has “transcended golf.” But if that’s their criteria, then Golf Magazine should change the award from “Golf Magazine Player of the Year” to “Golf Magazine’s Most Popular Male Player of the Year.”

Otherwise, the title belongs to Yani Tseng.

The GM press release follows:

RORY McILROY NAMED GOLF MAGAZINE’S INAUGURAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

New York, NY (November 1, 2011) – The December 2011 issue of Golf Magazine, on newsstands Nov. 11, marks the launch of a new franchise, the Golf Magazine Player of the Year.  As determined by Sports Illustrated Golf Group’s writers and editors, Rory McIlroy has been named the publication’s inaugural Player of the Year.  The 22-year-old transcended golf more than any other player in the game in 2011, losing one major in heart-wrenching fashion and winning another with one of the most explosive performances the game has ever seen.

“We are pleased to name Rory McIlroy as our inaugural Player of the Year,” said David Clarke, Editor of Golf Magazine.  “Americans have embraced this young Northern Irishman, taking him into their hearts not just out of admiration for his amazing talent, but also for the grace he has shown in victory and defeat, his generosity of time with fans, and his commitments to causes beyond golf.”
The December issue of Golf Magazine includes a special 16-page section devoted to Rory, including a look back at his historical year; a special feature on his hometown of Holywood, Northern Ireland; a look at the inner circle of people closest to him; and an in depth analysis of his game.

Additionally, an exclusive feature on Rory’s former agent Chubby Chandler includes the following insight from his newly hired agent Conor Ridge. “Chubby is an ex-player and all the guys who work for him are ex-players, which is great in some ways. We’re businessmen. We have more of a corporate approach with how we manage our sponsors, our players and their brands.”

For more about the inaugural Player of the Year Award, please check the December issue of Golf Magazine, visit http://www.golf.com, or follow on Twitter and Facebook.