The Major winning trio of Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington and Nick Faldo were honoured last night at the annual Association of Golf Writers dinner here at Muirfield.

McIlroy received the award for Golfer of the Year, Harrington received a newly created award for his superb dealings with the media while the six-time Major winning Faldo was recognised and presented with the Michael Williams Trophy for Services to Golf, and presenting Faldo with the trophy was a very proud Roddy Williams, son of the late Telegraph golf correspondent.

As well, renowned media personality and AGW President and former Chairman Renton Laidlaw was honoured for his contribution to golf and on the occasion of his 50th year as a member of the AGW.

In accepting the award Harrington remarked:  “I would say first and foremost in my dealings with the media I’ve had good mentors particularly growing up in a small country like Ireland and since the age of 14 and dealing with golf journalists like Colm Smith, Dermot Gilleece and Phillip Reid.

“That familiarity when I then did come out on tour was just normal for me in doing interviews and that I didn’t have to second guess anything.

“However I do lament when a young guy comes out on tour nowadays, and he would be hardly out on tour a week, and he seems to have a fear of media where ever that is coming from whether it be advice from other players or management, and before he’s had any experience himself he’s warned and his loath to talk to the press, so he’s affraid.

“That’s not the way to go about it because at the end of the day as tour players we need the media and the media need us, and we have to work together.

“So the players and the media need to continue to work together in a way understanding that both sides gain and the more that it is written about us the better, and the more good stories press get the more people will read and benefits us all.”

* Photographs kindly supplied by David Cannon, Getty Images.

New AGW Chairman, Derek Lawrenson presents Rory McIlroy with the AGW Golfer of the Year trophy at the 2013 AGW Dinner.

Padraig Harrington receives from AGW Chairman, Derek Lawrenson a new award for his openness with the media.

Nick Faldo receives the Michael Williams Trophy from Roddy Williams.