Champions Tour Announces Award Winners


To no one's surprise, Bernhard Langer was voted Player of the Year on the Champions Tour. The German star notched five victories, including two back-to-back majors in the British Senior Open at Carnoustie and, a week later, the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee.

Langer became the first Champions Tour member to win the Jack Nicklaus Trophy for player-of-the-year honors and the Arnold Palmer Award as the leading money winner for three straight years.

The two-time Masters champion had the most wins in a season since Craig Stadler won five times in 2004. Langer logged top-10 finishes in 15 of 23 tournaments. The World Golf Hall of Famer also won his first Charles Schwab Cup title - and the $1 million that goes with it - in 2010.

Fred Couples was voted Rookie of the Year on the over-50 circuit, while Ken Green was named Comeback Player of the Year.

Couples, a four-time winner in 2010, set three Champions Tour records - low scoring average (67.96), putting average (1.693) and birdie average (5.00). Couples accrued $2,344,894, the most he's ever earned in a season in his three-decade-long professional golf career.

Green was chosen as the Comeback Player of the Year when the 52-year-old returned to competition after having part of his right leg amputated following a fatal RV accident in June 2009 that killed his girlfriend, brother and beloved pet dog.

"Congratulations to Bernhard, Fred (Couples) and Ken (Green) for their accomplishments during the 2010 season," said Champions Tour President Mike Stevens in a statement.

"Bernhard played premier golf this season with five wins, including back-to-back majors, the money list title and the Charles Schwab Cup. It's a season definitely worthy of this award.

"Fred made an enormous impact on the Champions Tour this year, storming out of the gates with three early wins, generating tremendous interest in our tour, before capping his season with another win in Houston late in the year.

"Ken showed great heart and incredible courage, inspiring many people with his return after his tragic accident last year."