Jason Day will start the short-priced favourite to be named Australian golf's Greg Norman medallist after the eight nominees were finalised ahead of the inaugural awards on the Gold Coast in the first week of December.
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The awards will be the start of what the PGA of Australia hope to be a week-long 'festival of golf' capped off with the $1.75 million Australian PGA Championships at Royal Pines, an event now co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
The medal goes to the best male or female Australian golfer on the world stage in 2015, with Day the leading candidate after his breakthrough major at the PGA Championship before surging to the number one world ranking, only to lose it late to Masters champion Jordan Spieth.
Day would win five times on the PGA tour this year, taking out the PGA Championship and finishing top 10 at both The Open and the US Open.
Also in the mix are Adam Scott, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, Steve Bowditch, Minjee Lee, Rebecca Artis and Karrie Webb.
Day wasn't able to make it to the Australian summer as he and wife Ellie welcomed their second baby, while Scott will play the Masters in Melbourne and the Open in Sydney before skipping his hometown tournament on the Gold Coast.
The shortlist was compiled by Peter O'Malley (PGA vic chairman), Michael Long (PGA director), Ian Baker-Finch (former British Open champion), Graham Marsh (PGA life member, course designer) and ALPG great Jane Crafter.
Five other awards will also be handed out on the night (Tuesday, December 2) in what organisers hope becomes the night-of-nights for Australian golf during the summer.
The Contenders
Adam Scott Four top 10 finishes from 16 PGA Tour stars, fourth at the US Open, tied 10th at The Open, an automatic selection for the International Team in the Presidents Cup.
Jason Day Five PGA Tour victories, major title at the PGA Championship, reached world number one, third on FedEx Cup, highest-ranked qualifier for Internationals at The Presidents Cup.
Matt Jones Solid as a rock on the PGA Tour, four top10 finishes, two third placings. Year-high ranking of 54th in the world.
Marc Leishman Missed US Masters after a life-threatening illness to wife Audrey, then almost became the feel-good story of the year before missing out to American Zach Johnson at The Open Championship. Automatic pick for President's Cup team and topped his world ranking at 27.
Steve Bowditch Best year on the PGA Tour, taking his second tour title at the Byron Nelson Classic before finishing 20th on the FedEx Cup rankings. Captain's pick for President's Cup.
Karrie Webb The Queensland great made the cut in four of the five majors on the LPGA Tour and finished at tied seventh in the end of tour rankings. She added a pair of top-10 finishes for good measure.
Minjee Lee A star in the making, just second year as a pro. Broke through in the Kingsmill Championship and was top-15 in all three Majors. Became Australia's top-ranked female golfer, overtaking Webb.
Rebecca Artis Collected a second European Tour victory at the Scottish Open. Another strong year for the New South Wales golfer.
