ATLANTA – What had the potential to turn into the closest race for the Player of the Year Award in recent memory quickly turned into another victory lap for Jordan Spieth on Sunday at the Tour Championship.
Despite his historic play in this season’s majors, a run that included two victories and close calls at the Open Championship and PGA Championship, many players had withheld final judgment on who would get their vote for the Jack Nicklaus Award until after this week’s finale.
“It was kind of dependent on what happened this week,” Harris English said. “Spieth had a great year and [Jason] Day was unbelievable the last few weeks. Both dominated the Tour.”
But if exit polling on Sunday at East Lake is any indication, it will be Spieth who wins the award for his five-victory season capped by a four-stroke triumph in the FedEx Cup finale.
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“I had an idea, but I’m pretty sure who I’m going to vote for now,” said Kevin Na, as Spieth was putting the finishing touches on his season-ending walk-off.
Day forced his way into the conversation with his victory at The Barclays and BMW Championship to go along with his PGA Championship triumph, and many players said if the Australian were to win the Tour Championship and the season-long FedEx Cup race they would have to consider him for the award.
But Day finished tied for 10th at East Lake and third on the final points list behind Henrik Stenson in second place.
“I think I would have had to reconsider if Jason won, but what Jordan did this season, to be consistent every week, that’s impressive,” Matt Kuchar said.
Electronic ballots were sent to players on Sunday after play was completed at East Lake and the final votes are due by 5 p.m. (ET) on Thursday.
