Henrik Stenson was crowned Players’ Player of the Year last night as players, sponsors, administrators and friends of the European Tour family came together for an evening of celebration at The Players' Awards.
The winner of the Race to Dubai was presented with the highest accolade of the night, the award chosen by his peers, by the man he pipped to the Harry Vardon Trophy, Ian Poulter, during a stunning evening showcasing the many and varied highlights of the 2013 European Tour season.
Stenson, who also won the European Tour Player of the Year, Harry Vardon Trophy and European Tour Shot of the Year awards, was the undoubted star of the show at the Sofitel, Heathrow, on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship as the golfing world applauded his phenomenal achievements of 2013.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, welcomed the guests from around the world before presenters Steve Sands of the Golf Channel and Sarah Stirk of Sky Sports took to the stage to re-live the highs of last year.
Peter Uihlein, the first American to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, received the engraved silver plate from 2012 winner Ricardo Santos while Justin Rose’s US Open triumph was also at the forefront of the celebrations.
First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, took to the stage as guest speaker, looking ahead to the eagerly anticipated Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September, a speech that nicely teed up the final part of the proceedings as European Captain Paul McGinley and his two vice captains Sam Torrance and Des Smyth put the icing on a thoroughly entertaining evening.
