Lee Westwood crowned 2020 European Tour Golfer of the Year
Lee Westwood has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Year following his fantastic season capped off with victory at the Race to Dubai.
For the fourth time in his career, Lee Westwood has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Year, following his recent Race to Dubai win where he pipped Patrick Reed to be crowned European No.1.
The European Tour season ended in style at the DP World Tour Championship, with a thrilling final round that saw the Order of Merit chop and change, only for Westwood to come out on top after finishing runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick.
Westwood won his first European Tour Golfer of the Year award 22 years ago and finally has his hands on another after an 11-year wait.
Last season, Westwood claimed his 25th European Tour title with a two-shot victory in Abu Dhabi and although he hasn't won since then, his performances have been consistent, with six consecutive top 20 finishes since golf returned from the coronavirus shutdown.
"I am very honoured and extremely flattered to have been named European Tour Golfer of the Year as I know the competition for the award this year would have been extremely high," said Westwood.
"Thank you to the media for voting for me and also huge congratulations again to everyone at the European Tour who did a tremendous job this year managing to put on a full International schedule under such difficult times.
"I never forget that I am extremely fortunate to do a job which I love, and which has sent me around the world playing in the most amazing places and meeting some wonderful people, so to win this award is very humbling.
"I am looking forward to the 2021 season, the 28th season of my career, which I will start by defending at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship."
European Tour chief executive, Keith Pelley, added: "Lee has been an incredible ambassador for golf and for the European Tour, not just throughout 2020 but also across his entire career.
"His performances and his professionalism are matched by his longevity and his commitment to European golf. For Lee to call shortly before our resumption and ask what he could do to help the Tour is testament to the person and the player he is.
"To then go on to become the European Tour's Number One player for a third time, 20 years after he first achieved that accolade, was a storybook way to end this most challenging of years. Lee is therefore a thoroughly deserving winner of the European Tour's Golfer of the Year award."
