Ernie Els named European Player of the Year

South Africa's Ernie Els has won the European golfer of the year award for the second year running, Tour officials said on Thursday.

Els, 34, ranked third in the world, won five individual titles on the schedule and finished leading money winner with $3.47 million despite playing in only 17 tournaments on the circuit including the World Matchplay at Wentworth. It was his first European order of merit.

In addition, Els won back-to-back on the U.S. PGA Tour at the start of the year with victory in the Mercedes Championships and the Hawaii Open.

He also won the award last year after clinching the British Open for the first time with success in a play-off at Muirfield.

A panel of golf media representatives and European Tour officials meet annually to decide the prize.

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