Thomas named PGA of America's player of the year

[September 09, 2020]    (Reuters) - Justin Thomas added a further accolade to a stellar campaign when he was named the PGA of America Player of the Year on Tuesday, while Webb Simpson won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average.

Justin Thomas tees off on the 11th hole during the first round of the 2020 edition of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass - Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Thomas, who won three events during the season and finished joint runner-up in the FedExCup playoffs, edged Spaniard Jon Rahm to capture the award, which is based on a points system, for the second time in his career.

American Thomas won the CJ Cup last October, the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January and World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in August, a triumph that moved him to world number one for the first time since 2018.

Thomas finished with 66 overall points, followed by Rahm (56) and PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa (54).

Simpson posted an adjusted scoring average of 68.978 through 52 complete rounds to edge out Rahm (69.127), for the Vardon Trophy.

The PGA Tour also recognises its annual Player of the Year, determined by a vote of the membership, and the winner will be announced later in September.

Decided by a ballot of tour members, the PGA Tour award is perhaps the most cherished by the players as it reflects their standing among their peers.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)

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