The 2004 European Tour was the 33rd golf season since the European Tour officially began in 1972. The season was made up of 45 tournaments counting towards the Order of Merit, which included the four major championships and three World Golf Championships. Ernie Els won the Order of Merit, defending the title he won in 2003. Despite Els dominance of the European money-list, Vijay Singh was crowned European Tour Golfer of the Year, having won the PGA Championship and deposed Tiger Woods at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.