Decided by a judging panel drawn from all sectors of the golfing media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – the award was inaugurated in 1985.
It should not be confused with the Association of Golf Writers Trophy, inaugurated in 1951.
| Year | Player | Nat. |
| 2024 | Rory McIlroy | NI |
| 2023 | Adrian Meronk | POL |
| 2022 | Ryan Fox | NZL |
| 2021 | Jon Rahm | ESP |
| 2020 | Lee Westwood | ENG |
| 2019 | Jon Rahm | ESP |
| 2018 | Francesco Molinari | ITA |
| 2017 | Sergio García | ESP |
| 2016 | Henrik Stenson (2) | SWE |
| 2015 | Rory McIlroy (3) | NI |
| 2014 | Rory McIlroy (2) | NI |
| 2013 | Henrik Stenson (1) | SWE |
| 2012 | Rory McIlroy (1) | NI |
| 2011 | Luke Donald | NI |
| 2010 | Martin Kaymer & Graeme McDowell | GER & NI |
| 2009 | Lee Westwood (3) | ENG |
| 2008 | Pádraig Harrington (2) | IRE |
| 2007 | Pádraig Harrington (1) | IRE |
| 2006 | Paul Casey | ENG |
| 2005 | Michael Campbell | NZL |
| 2004 | Vijay Singh | FJI |
| 2003 | Ernie Els (2) | RSA |
| 2002 | Ernie Els (1) | RSA |
| 2001 | Retief Goosen | RSA |
| 2000 | Lee Westwood (2) | ENG |
| 1999 | Colin Montgomerie (4) | SCO |
| 1998 | Lee Westwood (1) | ENG |
| 1997 | Colin Montgomerie (3) | SCO |
| 1996 | Colin Montgomerie (2) | SCO |
| 1995 | Colin Montgomerie (1) | SCO |
| 1994 | Ernie Els (1) | RSA |
| 1993 | Bernhard Langer (2) | GER NI |
| 1992 | Nick Faldo (2) | ENG |
| 1991 | Seve Ballesteros (3) | ESP |
| 1990 | Nick Faldo (2) | ENG |
| 1989 | Nick Faldo (1) | ENG |
| 1988 | Seve Ballesteros (2) | ESP |
| 1987 | Ian Woosnam | WAL |
| 1986 | Seve Ballesteros (1) | ESP |
| 1985 | Bernhard Langer (1) | GER |
Related: PGA Tour Player of the Year & PGA Player of the Year
From 1948 to the present day.
Related: PGA Tour – Rookie of the Year
From 1979 to the present day.
Related: Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award
From 1960 to the present day.
Simon Bale
The editorial team at Golf Today strives to provide readers with captivating content that celebrates the rich heritage and exciting developments in the world of golf. Their collective expertise and dedication ensure that Golf Today remains a premier destination for golf enthusiasts seeking the latest news, insightful analysis, and engaging stories from the world of golf.
Updated: August 5, 2025
Related tags: Association of Golf Writers, European Tour, golf records, History, Player of the Year, Statistics, trivia