I Don't Understand ...

... why Steve Stricker is not getting more talk for Player of the Year. For instance, Cameron Moffit, Senior Writer at Golf magazine, writes this today over at golf.com:

A lot of people could make a case for POY with a victory, most notably Barclays winner and FedEx points leader Matt Kuchar; BMW winner Dustin Johnson, who is second in FedEx points; newly minted Hall of Famer Ernie Els and Jim Furyk, who have two Tour victories apiece this season but have been relatively quiet lately.

 No mention of Stricker at all? Really? Yes, yes, I know I'm hopelessly biased. But it's easy to make the case on paper (or in pixels). I agree that if Kuchar or any of the above two-time winners emerges victorious at East Lake in the Tour Championship this weekend, they will likely lay claim to POY honors. But Stricker also has two twins. Granted, one was a second-tier event, the John Deere. But it still counts. And even if you wanted to only call it a "half-victory," adding the Tour Championship would put him at 2.5 wins, best on Tour.
     Much of the talk surrounding Kuchar involves his consistency, as evidenced by all his top-10 finishes. He has 11 in 24 events to lead that category. But Stricker is close behind with 9 – in just 18 events. So Stricker's top-10 "average" is actually a little better: 50% to 45.8% (Stricker played fewer events this year due to a shoulder injury).
     Yes, Kuchar leads the money list, with $4,753,727 to Stricker's $4,062,735 (#4). But again, with 24 events to Stricker's 18. Stricker leads in average money per event with $225,707.50 to Kuchar's $198,071.89. Again, which looks more "consistent" to you? And if Stricker wins (again, my case is all premised on him winning this week) he would certainly jump to #2, and could possibly even pass Kuchar (I think) if he stumbles badly.
     Finally, Kuchar and Stricker are in a virtual dead heat for the Vardon Trophy, which goes to the lowest (adjusted) stroke average. Kuchar sits narrowly on top with a 69.57 average; Stricker is within a grass clipping at 69.58. Whoever beats the other this weekend will almost certainly take the lead in this category.
     (Dustin Johnson probably has the most compelling case after these two, given his two victories, current #2 position on the money list, and two memorable performances in majors. He'd get my vote if Kuchar doesn't win this weekend and no one gets to three victories. And Kuchar I think has a wonderful case for Comeback Player of the Year. In 2007 he finished 115th on the money list. In 2008, 70th. In 2009, 24th. And this year, he currently sits at #1. That's quite a remarkable improvement – perhaps a little too gradual to capture the attention of voters, but I feel it's deserving, nonetheless.)
     There you have it: an iron-clad case for Stricker as the 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year – IF he wins this week. So why does no one seem to be talking about him in that context? I just don't know. Maybe it's just that no one wants to see him fill the FedEx cup with tears of joy.