Bernhard Langer crowned Player of the Year in USA for second straight year - German makes Champions Tour history

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: Legendary German golfer, Bernhard Langer, wrote another chapter of golf history by becoming the first non-American back-to-back winner of the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, awarded to the Player of the Year on the Champions Tour. As in 2008, Langer also won both the Byron Nelson Award (for the lowest strokes-per-round average for the year) and the Arnold Palmer Award (as the leading money winner) in 2009.

PGA Tour chief Tim Finchem and Champions Tour President Mike Stevens announced that Bernhard Langer was chosen over fellow nominees John Cook, Fred Funk, Jay Haas and Loren Roberts (all USA). The Player of the Year award is voted for by the members of the Champions Tour.

With 4 tournament victories and no fewer than 15 top 10 finishes on the US Seniors Tour, plus excellent results elsewhere (top 10 finishes at European Tour events in Hong Kong and Munich), the German was once again one of the outstanding figures in world golf.

“I feel privileged to receive the title of 'Player of the Year' for the second consecutive year,” said Langer. “It's always gratifying to be recognised by your peers and I’m honoured to join some elite company with players such as Lee Trevino, Jim Colbert, Hale Irwin and Jay Haas, who have been awarded the Jack Nicklaus Trophy multiple times. Week in and week out on the Champions Tour, the calibre of play is at a high level and I enjoy the challenge of competing with so many great players.”

American Russ Cochran was chosen as the Rookie of the Year. He succeeds Bernhard Langer, who took the award in 2008 following his first full season on the Champions Tour. The official awards ceremony will take place on 20 January 2010 as part of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in Hawaii.

(Source: Langer Golf GmbH)