Tiger Woods voted PGA Tour player of the year

Despite failing to win a major championship, Tiger Woods has been voted player of the year by his peers on the PGA Tour.

Woods won five tournaments this season -- three more than anyone else -- as well as earning the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average at 68.95 and the money title at $8.5 million-plus.

Those numbers returned him to No. 1 in the world rankings after a rough stretch of injuries and scandal.

“There were a lot of people saying I could never win again,” Woods said on a conference call. “To have the success I’ve had this year, it makes it all the more rewarding.”

Tour officials also announced Friday that Jordan Spieth has been voted rookie of the year.

Spieth started the year with no Tour status but went on to play in 23 events, winning the John Deere Classic at 19 years old and finishing seventh in the FedEx Cup. Next week he will become the youngest American to compete in the President’s Cup.

“Just a great feeling,” he said. “With no status, it’s hard to expect or really think about something like this happening.”

Though this marks the 11th time Woods has won player of the year honors, he can see obvious room for improvement in 2014.

“Do a little bit better in the major championships,” he said.

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