VIRGINIA WATER, England -- U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell was the unanimous choice for PGA European Tour golfer of the year.
The 36-year-old New Zealander was picked Monday by a panel of journalists and tour staff members ahead of Colin Montgomerie, who won $3.4 million this season for his eighth European money title.
Campbell won the World Match Play title in September, beating Paul McGinley of Ireland over the final 36 holes. He beat Tiger Woods by two strokes to win the U.S. Open in June.
‘The European Tour helped to make me the player I am,’ Campbell said. ‘Over the past 10 years I’ve learned a lot about myself and my golf game.’
The other candidates included Angel Cabrera, Stephen Dodd, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, David Howell and McGinley.
Campbell, who finished second on the money list with $3 million, began the year by missing five straight cuts to fall out of the top 100. He rebounded with seven top-10 finishes, and four more in the top 20 to end the year ranked 15th.
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