PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who wrote a remarkable chapter in major championship history over the past few weeks with victories in the British Open and PGA Championship, has taken a commanding lead in The PGA of America's 2008 Player of the Year point standings.

Harrington also leads the Vardon Trophy race, and with 44 completed rounds, needs to record 16 additional complete rounds to meet the required minimum of 60 rounds for one of the most prestigious season-ending awards.

Should Harrington continue his momentum toward both awards, he would be the first European since Nick Faldo in 1990 to win the PGA Player of the Year Award and would be the first-ever European to capture the Vardon Trophy, presented annually by The PGA of America since 1937 (not awarded from 1942-'46 due to WWII).

Harrington has accumulated 144 total points toward earning his first PGA Player of the Year award, based on 60 points for his two major championships, 50 bonus points for achieving that feat, 14 points for his standing on the season money list and 20 points for leading with an adjusted scoring average of 69.28.

Tiger Woods, who ended his season in June to undergo and recover from knee surgery, is second in the PGA Player of the Year standings with 80 points. Kenny Perry, a three-time winner this season, is next with 62 points, while Phil Mickelson is fourth with 56 points.

Mickelson is second in the Vardon Trophy standings with an adjusted scoring average of 69.42, based on 65 rounds. He is second on the money list with 18 points and has won two events.

The PGA of America has honored the game's best players with The PGA Player of the Year Award since 1948. The Award is currently presented to the top touring professional based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings and scoring averages. Points are tabulated from Jan. 7, through the Children's Miracle Network Classic, which concludes Nov. 9. In addition, 50 bonus points are awarded to players with more than one major championship in the same year, and an additional 25 points for each additional major championship.

Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by The PGA of America in honor of famed British golfer Harry Vardon, is awarded annually to the touring professional with the lowest adjusted scoring average. It is based on a minimum of 60 rounds, with no incomplete rounds, in events co-sponsored or designated by the PGA Tour. The adjusted score is computed from the average score of the field at each event.

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.