Lehman named Champions Tour Player of the Year

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Tom Lehman was named the Champions Tour Player of the Year on Wednesday.

Lehman became the first player in history to win Player of the Year honors on all three tours affiliated with the PGA Tour. He won the PGA Tour award in 1996 when he captured the British Open, and took home the Nationwide Tour honor in 1991.

"It was a goal of mine to complete Player of the Year on all three tours and it's very satisfying to achieve something you set out to do," said Lehman. "To prove yourself as the best player of the year at every level is very satisfying. There are so many guys I respect and admire on the Champions Tour who had great years as well. We pushed each other week after week. I'm sure someone else will accomplish this feat in the future. I'm one of the few guys to have had a chance to play all three tours."

Lehman won three times on the elder circuit in 2011 and walked off with the Charles Schwab Cup and money title. Lehman also became the first player in history to win the money title in all three of the tours.

Lehman titled at the Allianz Championship and Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic. His final victory of the campaign came at the Tradition, where he knocked off Peter Senior in a playoff. It was his second Champions Tour major championship.

Kenny Perry captured the Champions Tour Rookie of the Year honors. He made two starts last year, but he made 10 official starts in 2011 to earn the award.

Perry won the SAS Championship and did so after his sister died the night before the final round. Perry and partner Scott Hoch lost in a playoff at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. He also finished with seven top 10s.

Chip Beck won the Champions Tour Comeback Player of the Year award. He came in 26th on the money list after playing most of the previous seasons with conditional status. Beck posted four top 10s in 2011 and his earnings this year bested his earnings in 2009 and 2010 combined.