Michael Sim wins Jack Nicklaus

Trophy as US Nationwide Tour

Player of the Year

Aberdeen-born Australian Michael Sim has been voted 2009 Player of the Year on the United States Nationwide Tour by his fellow competitors. The honour wins him the Jack Nicklaus Trophy.
"With the level of play we see week-in-and week-out on the Nationwide Tour, Michael's record-breaking performance this season was nothing short of spectacular," said US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.
"We congratulate him on joining a distinguished list of Nationwide Tour alumni who are having an impact on the PGA Tour on a weekly basis. Michael certainly embodies the Nationwide Tour's mission of identifying and transitioning players who are ready to compete and win on the PGA Tour."
"It is a great honour to be named Nationwide Tour Player of the Year by my peers," said Sim.
"The level of play out there is incredible. I think the Nationwide Tour is the best place to test your game and see if you have what it takes. When you look at the success Nationwide Tour players have had on the PGA Tour, it really gives me a boost of confidence. I'm excited to get out there.
"My goal next year is to win a US PGA Tour event. I wish to thank my fellow players for voting for me and everybody associated with the Tour who helped me throughout the year. It certainly was a fun and rewarding year."
Sim, 25, who emigrated with his parents from Aberdeen to Perth, Western Australia when he was seven years old, enjoyed a record-smashing year in 2009.
He won three times by August to earn immediate promotion to the US PGA Tour and set.
a single-season Nationwide Tour earnings record of $644,142.
Sim was ranked No 53 on the Official World Golf Rankings on October 26 and is now No 60.
ends