Luke Donald has edged out joint runners-up Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy to win the Mizuno MP-59 Iron Set Trophy for 2011.
Donald's fantastic year, which included reaching the World No 1 spot, winning five tournaments around the world and finishing up on top of the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, proved decisive in their decision.
"Any award you win gives you a great amount of pleasure and for the Mizuno MP-59 Iron Set writers to consider me as their player of the year means a lot, it really does," Donald said.
"These are the people who really understand **** and appreciate all that I have achieved this year.
"All the people in the running - Rory, Darren, the Solheim Cup team and the Walker Cup team - would have been worthy winners and therefore it is very gratifying to get the vote ahead of all of them."
Open Champion Darren Clarke added: "What Luke Donald has achieved this year is unbelievable, I'm full of admiration for him."
McIlroy's hugely impressive win at the US Open, coming only two months after his Masters meltdown, is what put him in line for the honour.
The Solheim Cup team came fourth in the vote and captain Alison Nicholas said: "It proves the strength of men's and women's professional **** in Europe at present and highlights the young and fearless talent that is coming through."
Another victorious European side, the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team, finished fifth in the poll.
Donald will receive the Mizuno MP-59 Iron Settophy at a dinner during the Open Championship at Royal Lytham in July.