Image courtesy DP World Tour/Getty Images.
By Rahul Banerji
England’s Aaron Rai will be the first recipient of the Rory McIlroy Award to recognise his performances at the year’s four major championships, the DP World Tour said on Thursday.
The new trophy, named after Europe’s first winner of the career Grand Slam, is presented to the DP World Tour member who cumulatively earns the most Race to Dubai points from the Masters Tournament, US PGA Championship, US Open and The Open.
Rai made his major breakthrough at the US PGA Championship in May, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the Wannamaker Trophy after a decisive back nine display at Aronimink Golf Club.
The 31-year-old preceded that performance with a 48th place finish in The Masters, followed by tied 11th at the US Open and shared 79th at The Open, for a total of 1,876.5 Race to Dubai points at the four events.
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox narrowly missed out on the inaugural Rory McIlroy Award after joining Rai as a first time Major winner earlier this month at Royal Birkdale. He has 1,834 points across the four majors, just 42.5 less than Rai.
Rai’s US PGA Championship victory took him to a career-high 15th on the Official World Golf Ranking and the four-time DP World Tour winner remained within the top 20 at the conclusion of The Open Championship.
“I’m delighted that Aaron’s achievements this season have been recognised as he becomes the first recipient of the Rory McIlroy Award,” McIlroy said.
“His performance down the stretch on Sunday at Aronimink was truly impressive, and it would be difficult to find anyone who wasn’t pleased for him.
“He’s always been known on the DP World Tour as a hardworking and talented player, and even more so as a fantastic person, so it’s been a pleasure to see what he has done in recent years and particularly this season.”
Incredible season
“I’m truly honoured to be the first recipient of the Rory McIlroy Award during what has been an incredible season for me and my team,” Rai said in return.
“Rory is an inspiration to so many people, including myself. His golf game speaks volumes but the person he is and the way he conducts himself is equally as inspiring.
“For many years, my focus has been on working hard and continually developing my game. I’m very fortunate to be able to compete on the DP World Tour and continue to relish the opportunities to do so.
“To be honoured with this award which recognises major championship performances on the DP World Tour and for it to be in honour of Rory really means a lot to me.”
Rai will be presented with the award by McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship in September.
The McIlroy Award is the fifth addition to the European Tour Group’s other prestigious annual awards named after players who have made a significant contribution to golf: Seve Ballesteros, Harry Vardon, Sir Henry Cotton and John Jacobs.
The Ballesteros Award goes to the member voted Players’ Player of the Year and the Harry Vardon Trophy to the Race to Dubai winner, while the Rookie of the Year receives the Sir Henry Cotton Award.
The John Jacobs Trophy, named after the European Tour’s founding father, is presented to the winner of the Staysure Legends Tour Order of Merit, the DP World Tour added.
Also read: Quiet brilliance and rail-perfect putting seal PGA title for Rai
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