World number one Rory McIlroy reflected on his “best season so far” after being crowned PGA Tour Player of the Year by fellow golfers on the US Tour.
The 23-year-old enjoyed an exceptional 2012, and one can be sure that his golf betting odds will be good in 2013. He won his second major with a sensational eight-shot win in at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in August, one of four titles claimed on the PGA Tour in 2012.
Currently being heavily backed by punters in the various Paddy Power Rory McIlroy specials on offer, McIlroy emulated Luke Donald’s feat from last year of topping the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, before capping his year with victory at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The Northern Irishman was also a member of the triumphant European Ryder Cup team.
McIlroy held off competition from Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods to become the youngest player to win PGA Tour Player of the Year since Tiger Woods in 1998. He was also the third European to win the title, following in the footsteps of Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.
“It’s an honour and I’m delighted to win the PGA Tour’s player of the year. It’s always nice to get recognition from your peers, the guys that you’re trying to beat week-in, week-out,” McIlroy said.
“I guess it’s just a great way to end what has been a great year and my best season so far.”
If 2012 was McIlroy’s best year, then 2011 was his watershed season. He threw away a commanding lead as he imploded at the Masters in April, before bouncing back in stunning style just two months later to win his first major at the US Open.
McIlroy learned how to win and how to lose last year. He turned his disappointment at Augusta into a positive, stating at the time: “I’ll get over it. I’ll have plenty more chances – I know that.” McIlroy has had two clear chances since and has taken them both.
It is perhaps a sign of how far he has come that he was not entirely happy with his performance in 2012. He is targeting more consistency in majors next season.
“I think really what was disappointing this year for me – if there was a disappointment – that I was only in contention once in the majors, and luckily I was able to win it. But next year I’d love to be in contention in all four of them,” McIlroy added.