Rory McIlroy has been awarded the Golf Writers Trophy in recognition of a dominant season on both sides of the Atlantic.
The 23-year-old, who won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award last week, finished ahead of Ian Poulter, Roger Chapman and the victorious GB&I Curtis Cup team in the poll.
McIlroy won five times around the world in 2012, more than any other player.
He recorded his second major title with a record-breaking eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship, won two FedEx Cup play-off events and capped off a remarkable season in style by triumphing at the European Tour's season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
In doing so, he broke a European Tour record for money earned in a single season, and became only the second player - after Luke Donald in 2011 - to win both the PGA and European Tour money lists in the same season.
"The 2012 season was a superb one for every aspect of European golf and that comes across when you look at the names of the players in contention for the Golf Writers Trophy this year. Therefore, to come out on top of that list is a great honour," McIlroy told the European Tour.
"Throughout the year, wherever we play, the golf writers are there helping to promote our support and give a voice to golf, and I am delighted to win their award.
"I hope to give them plenty more good things to write about in 2013."
Chapman won two senior majors and the European Senior Tour Money List, while Poulter won the WGC-HSBC Champions and was instrumental in Europe's sensational Ryder Cup victory.
GB&I won the Curtis Cup for the first time in 16 years to ensure Europe held the Curtis, Ryder, Walker and Solheim Cups for the first time in history.
The Golf Writers Trophy was first awarded in 1951 and recognises achievements of golfers born or residing in Europe, as well as European teams.
