The interesting part is that there are 3 serious contenders this year which doesn't happen often. Traditionally, the points leader would get it and that would be Sean Rash. Then again, 3 wins would typically guarantee a POY. Mike Fagan won a major but didn't do as well at the WSOB hence why he was 3rd in total points. He also picked up a WBT win.
This year, World Bowling Tour wins counted as PBA wins, only from a certain point in time. So people who had WBT wins before PBA and WBT announced the collaboration didn't get credit for PBA wins.