A race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood has been named European Tour Golfer of the Year 2020 for the fourth time in his career, 22 years after he first won the prestigious honor.
By Keith Jackson
Last updated: 21/12/20 10:48 am
1:21
With the Race to Dubai record completed for another year, we take a look back at all the winners from the 2020 European Tour season.
With the Race to Dubai record completed for another year, we take a look back at all the winners from the 2020 European Tour season.
Lee Westwood was named European Tour Golfer of the Year after his exciting race to Dubai’s victory last season.
Westwood rejected the surprise of being crowned No. 1 European for the third time in his career, 20 years after he first entered the Order of Merit, after being awarded the title by Patrick Reed. his second win at the end of the DP World Cup season.
The 47-year-old has now been awarded the Golfer of the Year for the fourth time in recognition of another outstanding campaign, which began with his 25th European Tour title when he claimed a two-point win over on Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Victor Perez in Abu Dhabi.
Westwood Patrick Reed won the title of the Race to Dubai
Westwood has not added to the advantage he has earned since then, but his results were steady after professional golf resumed after a coronavirus shutdown, with six consecutive top-20 finishes including a tie for 13th at the U.S. Open, and as a result of his stellar performance in Dubai he denied Reed’s denial as the Race to Dubai went down to the wire.
“It is a great honor and a great honor to be named European Tour Golfer of the Year because I know the competition for this year’s award would have been very high,” said Westwood, who won the final award 11 years.
“Many thanks to the media for voting for me and congratulations once again to all those at the European Tour who did a commendable job this year managing to put on a full International record under such difficult times.
Get a Sky Sports Pass for just £ 25 a month
Unwrap Christmas action with Sky TV Sports Pass NOW for just £ 25 per month. Cancel at any time.
“I will never forget that I am very fortunate to have done a job that I love, and which has put me all over the world playing in the most amazing places and meeting some amazing people. , so winning this award is very humble.
“I’m looking forward to the 2021 season, the 28th season of my career, which I will start defending at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.”
Tour of Europe head Keith Pelley said: “Lee has been an amazing ambassador for golf and for the Tour of Europe, not only throughout 2020 but also throughout his entire career.
When Westwood finished second in Dubai he was crowned European No. 1
“His achievements and professionalism are matched by his dedication and commitment to European golf. For Lee to call shortly before we started again and ask what he could do to help the Tour is a testament to the man and player he is.
“To then go on to become the Number One player on the European Tour for the third time, 20 years after he won that award, it was a storybook way to complete on these challenging years. Lee is therefore a deserving winner of the European Tour Golfer Award of the Year. “
Panel Member James Corrigan, golf journalist for the Daily Telegraph, said: “Lee Westwood is the worthy recipient of his golf solo – winning the Race To Dubai after being in Abu Dhabi and racing seven other top 20.
Get the best prices and book a tour of one of 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland
“But despite picking up his third Harry Vardon award as a 47-year-old man, 20 years after his debut, his claim is all the more incredible.
“He has been very loyal to his home tour and as Matt Fitzpatrick in Dubai said: ‘Lee explains that tour. ‘”