Unlike the Vardon Trophy on the PGA European Tour that awards points throughout the season to decide who wins the annual Race to Dubai, the US version of the Vardon Trophy went to the player with the lowest stroke average throughout the PGA Tour season (minimum 60 rounds). The Award was made by PGA of America, and the first winner in 1937 was Harry Cooper. Between 1937-41 a points system was also in operation, but the lowest average stroke decided the winner every year from 1947 unti 2022 when the last award was made.
The PGA Tour inaugurated its own award (the Byron Nelson Award) for the lowest annual stroke average in 1980 (minimum 50 rounds), and continued to be awarded after the demise of the Vardon Trophy.
Win
Golfer (Country)
Years Won
10
Tiger Woods
1997, 1999, 2000-02, 2005-07, 2009, 2013
8
Jack Nicklaus
1964-64, 1967, 1971-73, 1975-76
5
Ben Hogan
1940-42, 1946, 1948
5
Tom Watson
1977-80, 1984
4
Arnold Palmer
1958, 1960, 1962-63
4
Scottie Scheffler
2022-25
3
Sam Snead
1938, 1949-50
3
Curtis Strange
1985, 1987-88
3
Greg Norman (Australia)
1986, 1990, 1995
3
Vijay Singh (Fiji)
2003-04, 2008
3
Justin Thomas
2017-18, 2020
2
Julius Boros
1952, 1955
2
Billy Casper
1966, 1968
2
Tom Kite
1981, 1989
2
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
2012, 2014
2
Byron Nelson
1944-45
2
Nick Price (Zimbabwe)
1993-94
Up to an including 2022 when last presented| All golfers from USA unless otherwise stated
The following are the leading winners of the Byron Nelson Award: 9 Tiger Woods; 5 Greg Norman; 4 Rory McIlroy; 3 Scottie Scheffler
The lowest average to have won the Byron Nelson Award is 67.79 achieved twice by Tiger Woods in 2000 and 2007.