Golf's world No. 1 Luke Donald, who recently became the first European to finish a season as leading money-winner in the US, said he was "confused" by a late change in voting that could deny him the PGA Tour Player of the Year title.
Along with topping the Tour's money list, Donald also won the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average and finished in the top 10 in 14 of the 19 events he played this year.
Ballot papers for the annual PGA award, which is voted for by the players, were meant to be sent out after the final event, which Donald won Sunday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., with six birdies in his final nine holes.
But it was decided Monday that ballots will be sent out after next week's HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai instead. The event, part of the World Golf Championship, does not count on the money list but any victory would be listed in the Tour records and earn the usual exemptions.
The Tour said the late decision to delay voting was because of an oversight.
Donald, who will not compete in Shanghai because his wife is due to give birth, called it "a little sketchy" and his supporters regard it with suspicion.
If Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley or Nick Watney, who like Donald have each won twice this year, win in China, they may attract votes for winning more titles than the Englishman.
"It doesn't make much sense to me," Donald said. "I feel like even if I went to Shanghai and won, they would find another event to add."
He added that if the HSBC Champions is to count, voters should also take account of his achievements outside the US. Donald leads the European Tour money list as well.
