McIlroy wins US golf writers’ award

Rory McIlroy is the near unanimous choice as the best male player by the Golf Writers Association of America.

McIlroy received 190 out of the 194 votes cast by GWAA members.

Three votes went to FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, and the other went to Tiger Woods.McIlroy previously won player of the year awards from the US PGA Tour, European Tour, PGA of America and British-based Association of Golf Writers.

The GWAA said on Wednesday that Stacy Lewis was voted best female player with 79% of the vote, while double major winner Roger Chapman won the senior player award with 60% of the vote.This is the fourth time in the past five years that the GWAA award has gone to a European player.

Rory McIlroy also ended the year as world No. 1, for the first time with a comfortable lead at the top of the official rankings over Luke Donald and Tiger Woods.

The 23-year-old Ulsterman won four tournaments during the year including his second major at the USPGA Championships in August.