Tiger Woods' 2008 season is one of the most remarkable accomplishments of his impressive career.

Playing on virtually one good leg, Woods won four of the six tournaments he played in, including his dramatic playoff victory over Rocco Mediate in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

Woods also won the Accenture Match Play Championship, giving him two big-time wins in six starts.

Tiger's stroke average of 67.75 is the best on tour, even though he won't play enough events to win the Vardon Trophy, given annually to the player with the lowest adjusted scoring average.

Those stats would have been good enough to earn Woods his 10th Player of the Year award — until Padraig Harrington won the PGA Championship last week.

It was Harrington's second straight win in a major tournament, the Irishman having defended his British Open title a few weeks earlier.

Harrington became just the fourth player to win both the Open Championship and the PGA Championship in the same year, joining Woods, Nick Price and Walter Hagen.

After watching Harrington come from behind to win the PGA, Ben Curtis called Harrington "Tiger-like."

While Woods and every player in golf want to win every tournament they compete in, the truly elite players openly admits it's all about majors.

Woods has built his schedule around getting ready for majors since he turned professional.

Players like Phil Mickelson put in months of preparation at the courses that host majors each season with the goal of trying to take home the title.

With such importance placed on winning majors, it only makes sense a player who wins two of the four in one year should be rewarded with the Player of the Year honors.

I realize Woods only competed in two majors this season, winning one and finishing second at the other (Masters).

But as we say in sports, scoreboard baby, and it reads Harrington 2, Woods 1.

I realize Woods is going to get plenty of support because of his amazing win at the U.S. Open.

Having seen Woods' heroic performance in person, I admit it was one of the great feats I've seen in golf. I agree with Tiger that it was probably his greatest win at a major.

But let's not forget Harrington defended his British Open title while nursing an injured wrist. In the days and even hours leading up to the tournament, not many thought Harrington would even get through the event, never mind win the tournament.

Like Woods, he showed his will to win was stronger than the pain that tried to stop him. It, too, was a magical performance.

History also backs up a Harrington win.

In 1998, Mark O'Meara captured the award over David Duval.

While Duval had four victories and led the tour in earnings, he did not win major. O'Meara won the Masters and the British Open, earning him the honor.

The fact Harrington's win at the PGA ended a 78-year drought for Europeans in the event should also score a few points for Harrington.

It would simply be wrong if Woods is given the award over Harrington. Woods will win it again, probably next season, but this year belongs to Paddy.

— Bob Buttitta is The Star's golf columnist. He can be reached at bbuttitta@VenturaCountyStar.com.