Golf is one of the oldest sports where tradition really matters. It's not only the money the players are playing for. They play for honor, prestige and their place in history. There are awards that every golfer would like to see in their trophy showcase.
Harry Vardon Trophy (European Tour)
Lee Westwood with the Race to Dubai Trophy in 2020 © Getty Images
The Harry Vardon Trophy is awarded each year to the player who wins the European Tour Race to Dubai (previously known as the Order of Merit). There are many notable players who has won the prestigious award including Greg Norman, Sir Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood. But one player has made a record here which might not be ever achieved again. Colin Montgomerie has won the European Tour Order of Merit 8! times, seven of them in consecutive years from 1993 to 1999.
Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year (European Tour)
Robert MacIntyre poses with 2019 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award © Getty Images
The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award was first presented in 1960. The award is given to the rookie who places highest in the Race to Dubai. In the past the winner of the award was decided by a panel comprising the PGA European Tour, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the Association of Golf Writers. On the list with past winners we can see some impressive names like José María Olazábal (1986), Colin Montgomerie (1988), Thomas Bjørn (1996), Sergio García (1999), Brooks Koepka (2014) and Jon Rahm (2017).
Payne Stewart Award (PGA Tour)
The award is given by the PGA Tour and it honors the three-time major winner Payne Stewart who died in an airplane crash in October 1999. The award is given to the player whose "values align with the character, charity and sportsmanship that Stewart showed". The first Payne Stewart Award was given in 2000 and over the years it has been awarded to players like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Bernahrd Langer and most recently Justin Rose.
Jack Nicklaus Trophy (PGA Tour)
The Jack Nicklaus Trophy, also known as PGA Tour Player of the Year award, is a special one as the recipient is selected after a ballot by the other tour players. The award was given for the first time in 1990. Tom Lehman, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy are only a few of the players whose name we see in the winners list.
The Vardon Trophy (PGA Tour)
Rory McIlroy with the Vardon Trophy in 2014 © Getty Images
The Vardon Trophy is one of the oldest awards on our list. It was given in 1937 and since then it is given each year to the PGA Tour's leader in scoring average. The long list with award winners includes some golf legends like Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson.
