Tom Lehman makes history with Champions Tour POY

Tom Lehman was announced today as the 2011 Champions Tour Player of the Year.

In doing so, Lehman became the first player in history to win the POY award on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour. A testament not only to his his play on the course, but his consistency over his 29 year career.

"Tom's year has been incredible," Champions Tour President Mike Stevens said in his announcement on Wednesday.

"To become the first person to receive Player of the Year on all three Tours is a significant historical achievement and must be rewarding and satisfying for Tom. His goal at the start of the year was to win the Charles Schwab Cup and to do that he knew he had to win tournaments and be consistent all year."

"He kept reminding us that it was a process and he took one week at a time. Now, he has been rewarded for his patience and skill and he is very deserving of this award."

The 52-year old native of Austin, Minnesota won the Nationwide Tour POY; then called the Hogan Tour, in 1991.

Winning three tournaments that year, the Ben Hogan Golf Coast Classic, South Carolina Classic and the Santa Rosa Open.

Lehman then won his PGA Tour POY award in 1996. The year he also won the British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes over Ernie Els and Mark McCumber.

As well as the Tour Championship over Steve Stricker, by seven strokes.

Winning the Charles Schwab Cup this season on the Champions Tour, adding to his three wins at the Allianz Championship, Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic and Regions Tradition capped off an amazing season that saw Lehman earn $2,081,256.

Making him the first player on the Champions Tour to go over the $2-million mark in a single season.

"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 after hearing the news.

"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."

Congratulations again to Tom Lehman on not only his Champions Tour Player of the Year honor -- But for also becoming the first player in history, to earn that honor on all three tours.

A great achievement.

Quotes courtesy of PGA Tour