PGA Tour: Top 5 Player of the Year Contenders

#2: Jason Day (3 wins, $6,317,860)

This was supposed to be the year of the new Big 3, but no one counted on Day breaking away from his peers. The Aussie already has three wins this year, as well as a firm grip on the top spot in the world rankings. It all adds up to a viable case for POY honors.

After getting the year off to a somewhat slow start, Day rose to the top at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, opening up a two-shot lead through 36 holes and coasting to victory on the weekend. He kept it going the following week at the WGC-Dell Match Play, taking down stalwarts Brandt Snedeker, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen in the knockout stage en route to the title. Two months later, he hoisted the trophy at the Players Championship after opening with a scintillating 63 in the first round.

With a trio of wins that includes a World Golf Championship as well as golf’s “fifth major,” Day is a clear frontrunner for the Player of the Year award. However, another player’s recent run of outstanding form has left him in the dust, at least for the moment.

Next: Dustin Johnson