Rory McIlroy has been honoured by the Association of Golf Writers (AGW) as its 2022 Golfer of the Year.
The Northern Irishman, who finished the year as the World Tour Number One, PGA TOUR Number One and the DP World Tour’s Number One, receives the award for a fourth time, haven previously scooped the accolade in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
"I am honoured to be recognised for the fourth time by members of the Association as their AGW Golfer of the Year,” said McIlroy.
“I have always enjoyed a great rapport with members of the AGW and the media, in general, and it’s not lost on me how beneficial their work is at spreading the word of the game of golf around the world.
“The Association is to be congratulated for the work they undertake in continuing to report on golf in these ever-changing times and also their efforts each year to recognise achievements in the game with the hosting of this prestigious award.”
AGW Chairman Martin Dempster, speaking on behalf of the members, said: “Rory McIlroy is a worthy winner once again of our prestigious award, having become just the second player to be crowned as the Number One on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour in the same season.
“There were lots of other strong contenders, including Matthew Fitzpatrick after his brilliant breakthrough major win in the US Open at Brookline, as well as Linn Grant, who won four times as she topped the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.
“However, Rory comfortably came out on top in our poll, which was an indication that, in addition to how he plays the game, AGW members also appreciate his frankness, which has certainly been evident this year in particular.”
In winning the award for a fourth occasion, McIlroy joins Lee Westwood in achieving that feat after the Englishman claimed the prize in 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2020. The European Ryder Cup team has been honoured most with six wins.
Englishman Fitzpatrick finished second in the poll after landing his maiden major win at Brookline, with Grant coming third on the back of a campaign that saw her create history as the first woman to land a DP World Tour title in the Volvo Cars Scandinavian Mixed.
McIlroy will be presented with the award at next July's Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, the venue where he won the Claret Jug in 2014.
The AGW Golfer of the Year Award, first presented in 1951, is voted among the AGW members as the best effort individual by a European-born or residing player or a European team in the preceding 12 months.
