Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington has been named by his fellow professionals as the inaugural winner of the European Tour Players' Player of the Year award for 2008.
Harrington was honoured at the tour's annual awards dinner at Wentworth - but then departed because he is not playing this week's BMW PGA Championship.
The new award was conceived by the circuit's tournament committee. The US PGA Tour already has such an award - and Harrington also won that for his Open and USPGA double last season.
The Dubliner commented: "I am deeply honoured to be recognised by my fellow European Tour professionals.
"I am sure the awarded will go from strength to strength and to be named as the first winner is very special indeed."
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