Golf-Woods caps season of triumph and tragedy with top honour

LOS ANGELES, Dec 13 (Reuters) Tiger Woods accepted PGA Tour player of the year honours before reflecting on a season marked by triumph and tragedy.

For the eighth time in 10 years, Woods walked off with the Jack Nicklaus trophy after being voted the Tour's top player by his peers, adding another honour to his eight victories in 15 tournaments, including the British Open and the PGA Championship.

South Africa's Trevor Immelman was named the Tour's rookie of the year and Steve Stricker of the US the comeback player of the year.

''Thank you, it's always an honour to get the respect of your peers,'' Woods told reporters. ''This year has been an interesting one to say the least, on the golf course as well as off.'' REUTERS DKS PM0556