Rory McIlroy Named European Tour "2015 Player of the Year"

Rory McIlroy has been named Golfer of the Year,  receiving the honor for the second straight year and third time since 2012. McIlroy won three times this year on the European Tour,  including a victory at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship that allowed him to successfully defend his Race to Dubai title.

He earned the award over a list of nominees that included Justin Rose, Branden Grace,  Andy Sullivan, Anirban Lahiri and Danny Willett. "It is a huge honor for me to be named European Tour Golfer of the Year again," McIlroy said. "I feel very proud to have won this prestigious award for the third time - it is always special, no matter how often, to be recognized this way." McIlroy got off to a strong start with a convincing victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic  in February, and his WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship title counted as a win on both the  PGA Tour and the European Tour. Shortly thereafter, his season was derailed by an ill-timed soccer injury that forced him to miss title defenses at both the Open Championship and the  WGC Bridgestone Invitational match-play. McIlroy returned to action at the PGA Championship, and he closed with three top-12 finishes across the Finals series, successfully holding off Willett and Sullivan at the season's final event. He closed his European Tour campaign with eight top-10 finishes in 12 starts, including three wins. What will McIlroy's performance be in next year's European Tour? Share your comments with the Pro Golf Tour.

Franklin Templeton Shootout - Team of Berger and Hoffman Take the Lead

Now that the PGA and European PGA are officially on Christmas break the Franklin Templeton Shootout offers some rather fun and relaxing year-end golf while many of the 'big names' re-charge their batteries, re-tools their club selections, renew sponsor agreements hone their schedules for 2016.

Next calendar year will be a very special year for professional golf - for the men and ladies. In addition to a highly 'compressed' schedule the professional tours need to fit in golf's prestigious return to the Olympics, play the usual four majors and prepare for the Ryder Cup. Any one of these items is a herculian task. Now try fitting them all into a single season. Oh, and did I mention the highly touted ban on 'anchored' putting ...not an equipment policy, rather a physical-behavioral policy regarding how to hold and place the putter ... regardless of its length. What are your predictions for 2016?  Share your comments with the Pro Golf Tour:

Bubba Watson Wins Tiger Wood's Hero World Challenge by 3 Strokes Over Patrick Reed

Bubba Watson once said that if he ever amassed 10 victories he’d retire from professional golf, but on Sunday following his three-stroke victory at the Hero World Challenge, he clarified that statement. The World Challenge is Watson’s ninth victory as a professional, although the event does not count as an official PGA Tour victory.

Watson was asked if he wins next week’s Thailand Golf Championship, will he follow through on his retirement plans? “Ten U.S. victories,” he explained. “I don’t count this as a PGA Tour victory. It counts as a victory. It’s very big for my career personally, but I don’t see it as 10.” The World Challenge is Watson’s ninth victory as a professional, although the event does not count as an official PGA Tour win. Watson was asked if he wins next week’s Thailand Golf Championship, will he follow through on his retirement plans? “Ten U.S. victories,” he explained. “I don’t count this as a PGA Tour victory. It counts as a victory. It’s very big for my career personally, but I don’t see it as 10.” Watson did add to his earlier retirement comments, however. Will Bubba retire after winning his 10th official PFA Tour event? Share your comments with the Pro Golf Tour.

Spieth and Haas Co-Lead the Hero Wolrd Challenge in the Bahamas

Having just returned from Sydney, Australia Jordan Spieth kick started his title defense at the Hero World Challenge with a hole-in-one on the par-3 second hole Thursday at Albany. That eagle was part of a 5-under 67 that has him one stroke off the first-round lead.

"It was a 6‑iron, like 175ish (yards) playing about 10 yards further with the wind so I needed to take a little off of it," Spieth said. "Absolutely flushed it right at the hole and didn't think it went in. I started walking because balls have been sticking on the green so I thought it just stuck, but I guess it just crept forward that extra two feet. With very few people watching, you don't know if it's really close or in when they cheer and then you look up and the ball disappeared." Players were drenched in sweat walking off the course, a layout with which they are still trying to familiarize themselves. Spieth won this event last year by 10 strokes, with a tournament-record 26-under total. But that was at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Windermere, Fla. Nonetheless, he expects another shootout this week. "I'm very surprised that no one's lower than 6 under," he said, "but just gets a little tricky with the small greens, I guess." As for that ace, Spieth has some friends on hand and he said he would celebrate - and share the wealth. "When you come to the Bahamas, that's probably going to get pretty expensive out here," Spieth said. "But cool start to the day." What are Spieth's chances going into the weekend with Tiger Wood's looking on? Share your comments with the Pro Golf Tour.