Rickie Or Rory?

Yoda
As we all now know, Rickie Fowler -- winless in 2010 -- was voted by the players as PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Rory McIlroy, with a win at Quail Hollow and T-3 at two majors, was not. [However, Rory will receive the Golf Digest vote in their February 2011 issue.]

Did Rickie deserve the award? If so, why? Or, should the honor have gone to Rory? If so, why didn't it happen? Could his decision to reject a 2011 PGA TOUR card and instead play the European Tour have been a factor? Was he somehow not considered a "real" rookie -- even though, at 21, he's younger than Rickie -- because of his prior play on the European Tour (and perhaps even the PGA TOUR)?

Let's settle back, kick this around a bit and have some fun. What do you guys think?

JerryG
When it comes to the PGA Tour and the USGA, for that matter, I expect very little. The PGA's incessant marketing and drive for more and more money just plain turns me off. I suspect that goes for the general public if one looks at some of the numbers in attendance recently.
The USGA slept while the equipment companies wreaked havoc on the game.
Now I will take a good brisk sit and see the responses to what some may deem my outlandish remarks.
airair
Originally Posted by Yoda As we all now know, Rickie Fowler -- winless in 2010 -- was voted by the players as PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Rory McIlroy, with a win at Quail Hollow and T-3 at two majors, was not. [However, Rory will receive the Golf Digest vote in their February 2011 issue.]

Did Rickie deserve the award? If so, why? Or, should the honor have gone to Rory? If so, why didn't it happen? Could his decision to reject a 2011 PGA TOUR card and instead play the European Tour have been a factor? Was he somehow not considered a "real" rookie -- even though, at 20, he's younger than Rickie -- because of his prior play on the European Tour (and perhaps even the PGA TOUR)?

Let's settle back, kick this around a bit and have some fun. What do you guys think?

I would have thought that Rory McIlroy with his PGA win should have been the rookie of the year.
chipingguru
Rory shoulda won it. Maybe they also didn't like him calling out tiger at the Ryder Cup?
drewitgolf
Rory
Scoring Average on the PGA Tour 70.35
Money won/event $159,642
One win, five top 10’s
11th World Ranking
36th Fed Cup Standings

Ricky
Scoring Average on the PGA Tour 70.43
Money won/event $102,039
zero wins, seven top 10’s
28th World Ranking
32nd FedEx Cup Standings
O.B.Left
As "voted by the players" kind of says it all. They should have an impartial independent and unbiassed entity determine the outcome. Say The Golf Channel for instance given their recent success with the Search.

"And the 2010 Rookie of the Year goes to............ Frank Nobilo..... naw he's a foreigner ....Brandel Chamblee ladies and gentlemen".
JerryG
Rory in my book.
airair
Originally Posted by O.B.Left As "voted by the players" kind of says it all. They should have an impartial independent and unbiassed entity determine the outcome. Say The Golf Channel for instance given their recent success with the Search.

"And the 2010 Rookie of the Year goes to............ Frank Nobil..... naw he's a foreigner ....Brandel Chamblee ladies and gentlemen".
I was thinking along these lines myself, but since I also
am an European, I didn't mention it.
airair
Originally Posted by drewitgolf Rory
Scoring Average on the PGA Tour 70.35
Money won/event $159,642
One win, five top 10’s
11th World Ranking
36th Fed Cup Standings

Ricky
Scoring Average on the PGA Tour 70.43
Money won/event $102,039
zero wins, seven top 10’s
28th World Ranking
32nd FedEx Cup Standings
Rory played less events as well - He also played a lot in Europe - and never the less earned more price money than Rickie.
O.B.Left
Airair, Im canadian so I can switch teams with ease. Ah something about that doesnt sound quite right? Not sure what.

As much as I loved Seve I used to cheer for the US in those old Ryder Cups. Now Mike Weir plays for the other side in the Presidents Cup which has me all confused. Who do the Euro's cheer for in that one?