[Golf Topic] Ko Jin-young and Koepka "GWAA Players of the Year"

Ko Jin-young (left) and Brooks Koepka received the 2019 Player of the Year award selected by the GWAA.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25) has been awarded the 2019 Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA).

On the 8th (Korean time), GWAA announced, "Ko Jin-young received the most votes from members, beating Nelly Korda (USA)." She swept major individual titles including Player of the Year, money leader, and scoring average on the LPGA Tour with four wins, including two majors: the ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship. She has held the world No. 1 ranking for 24 consecutive weeks. She exclaimed, "I am proud of myself" and called it a "special and meaningful award."

In the men's division, Brooks Koepka (USA) was named Player of the Year, edging out Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). This marks the first time in 12 years since the "resurrected golf emperor" Tiger Woods (USA, 2006?2007) that a player has won the award two years in a row. Koepka received 44% of the votes, while McIlroy got 36%. Woods ranked third. Koepka successfully defended his title at the PGA Championship last May, his second major, marking the first title defense in 12 years. Among his seven PGA Tour wins, four are majors, making him a strong competitor in big matches.

In July last year, Koepka completed a "three-win hunt" at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational, part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, known for its large prize money. He currently ranks No. 1 in wins, world ranking, and money list. Koepka expressed, "I am honored to receive the award two years in a row." Scott McCarron (USA) was selected as Player of the Year on the men's senior tour. The awards ceremony will be held at Augusta National in the USA, one day before the opening of the first major, the Masters, in April.

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