Last year has been absolutely incredible: Rory McIlroy

World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy with the Players Player Award during the European Tour Players' Awards at the Sofitel London Heathrow on Tuesday night

Wentworth: Rory McIlroy was honoured as Golfer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year at the European Tour Players' Awards on Tuesday.


World No 1 golfer Rory McIlroy with the Players Player Award during the European Tour Players' Awards at the Sofitel London Heathrow on Tuesday night. Pic/Getty Images

The World No 1 won the double award at a ceremony at Sofitel Heathrow following a stunning year in which he won the Open and the US PGA Championship as well as playing in Europe's Ryder Cup win.

The Northern Irishman's last 10 European Tour finishes have seen him claim five victories, three runners-ups places and two more top-10 spots.

'Hard work pays off'
McIlroy told Sky Sports: "The last 12 months have been absolutely incredible.

"I've put the hard work in and it's really paid off. I've got seven wins in the last 12 months and I'm just trying to keep going and increase that tally. There's a lot to play for this year, I've got off to a great start and I just need to continue that."

American Brooks Koepka was another double winner as he received the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award and the Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year Award, after winning November's Turkish Airlines Open to go with four other top-10 finishes.

Donaldson wins too
There were also celebrations for the full Ryder Cup team, accompanied by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who was invited by captain Paul McGinley to address the team before the start of the contest, while Welshman Jamie Donaldson won the Shot of the Year award for the approach which sealed the winning point.

And McIlroy noted: "Even with all the personal success I've had over the past year, the Ryder Cup was the most enjoyable week."