Koepka Named European Tour's Rookie of the Year


Brooks Koepka has been named the Sir Henry Cotton European Tour Rookie of the Year. The 24-year-old Floridian is the second consecutive American to win the award following Massachusetts' native Peter Uihlein in 2013.

Koepka won the second-to-the-last event on the European Tour's season - the Turkish Airlines Open two weeks ago - and had four other top-10 finishes in his first year on the Tour. He finished eighth in the season-long Race to Dubai, won by No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy.

"Winning the Rookie of the Year means so much," said Koepka, who qualified for the circuit after three racking up victories in 2013 on the Challenge Tour. "I've worked so hard this year, and to see the results is fun. To cap the year off with a win in Turkey, has made this year special, and it's a goal I've been working for since I was able to come out on Tour, and that was the goal starting the year."

Englishman Tyrrell Hatton - who tied for sixth at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship Dubai last Sunday - finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

"Looking back where I was two years ago, and then where I am today is special. So to win Turkey and win Rookie of the Year is amazing," added Koepka.

"Coming over, having nowhere to play and getting a win on the Challenge Tour, and then getting the promotion, was unbelievable. And now to win on the European Tour is special, and to win Rookie of the Year, you look at all the names, guys who have won it, especially last year; Pete Uihlein, so at least we can keep it in the house."

George O'Grady, CEO of the European Tour, said of the honor: "Brooks has enjoyed a magnificent first full season on the European Tour, winning one of our Final Series events at the Turkey Airlines Open, recording a top-five finish in a major championship, and finishing inside the top-10 on the Race to Dubai.

"That would be a very good season for any player, but to do it in your first full season on the European Tour is even more impressive. The story of first Peter Uihlein winning the Rookie of the Year award and now his close friend Brooks is quite a remarkable one, and it underlines the global appeal the European Tour has."

The voting was done by members of the Association of Golf Writers, a European organization. Derek Lawrenson, golf correspondent for the Daily Mail and chairman of the AGW, told the European Tour's website: "No wonder they talk about the enormous benefits of a friendly rivalry. Twelve months after watching his great friend Peter Uihlein become the first American to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award, Brooks Koepka has now followed in his footsteps to become the 50th recipient of this prestigious prize.

"Over the years, we have become accustomed to seeing players prosper following a successful grounding on the Challenge Tour, and the personable 24-year-old Floridian, a three-time winner on that circuit in 2013, certainly added his name to the list of successful graduates with his wonderful 2014 season.

"The highlight, of course, was his accomplished success at the Turkish Airlines Open earlier this month. Not too many rookies would hold their nerve when Ian Poulter comes charging on the final day, but Koepka did so to seal the first of what will surely prove to be many victories.

"Congratulations must go as well to the gifted young Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who underlined his reputation as one of the young players to watch on Tour with his fine finish in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai."