rookie – Golfing Agency

Lawrence claims Rookie of the Year title after double-winning season

detlef32 — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 12:32:17 +0000

Thriston Lawrence has become the first South African to be crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, after a breakthrough season on the DP World Tour that included two wins, six further top-10s and a Major debut.

His breakthrough victory not only secured a DP World Tour exemption, it also led to his first appearance in a Major as part of The Open Qualifying Series, and he went on to finish inside the top 50 at the 150th Open at St Andrews.A first professional victory on European soil followed in August when he secured the Omega European Masters title after a play-off with Matt Wallace at Golf Club Crans Montana in Switzerland. That win led to another landmark, as he moved inside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career.

Lawrence racked up six further top-10 finishes, including a tied second finish at the Kenya Open and third place at the Irish Open, on the way to finishing 14th in the DP World Tour’s season-long rankings.“It’s a dream come true,” said Lawrence, who is currently 90th in the OWGR.

“If you look at the names on the trophy, it’s incredible. A year ago, I didn’t even have a category, so when I started off with a victory, it came to mind straight away to go for this award. To have accomplished it is an incredible feeling – I’m very grateful and honoured. Winning twice in my first season on tour was incredible, but it’s not where I want to end. It’s onwards and upwards from here.”Lawrence is a PING staff player and currently has the brand’s G425 Max driver and 3-wood in the bag, along with a set of iBlade irons, Glide 4.0 wedges and a PLD Oslo putter.

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Cameron Young named 2021-22 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year after earning nearly 95% of votes from peers

detlef32 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:37:15 +0000

Cameron Young was named the 2021-22 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year on Wednesday as the 25-year-old earned a whopping 94% of the vote from other players. Young’s award follows an impressive debut that featured seven top-five finishes, including a pair of near-victories at two majors, as well as strong efforts at the Genesis Invitational and Wells Fargo Championship.

“It’s very special,” said Young Wednesday at the CJ Cup in South Carolina. “I know the namesake Arnold Palmer obviously was a giant in the game of golf, and we have him to thank for a lot of what we do today, what the PGA Tour is. To be related to that in some small way is very cool. I know we had a very strong rookie class and I know it’s voted by my peers, so it’s a huge honor to be thought of in that way, just to kind of finish the year that way.”

Young’s best stuff often came at the biggest events. He finished runner-up to Cam Smith at the Open Championship in July and T3 at the PGA Championship in May, narrowly missing out on a playoff alongside Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris. Throw in big-time performances at a handful of other PGA Tour stops, a 19th-place finish in the FedEx Cup and $6.5 million earned in his first full year on Tour, and it’s clear there was no other choice.

“Congratulations to Cameron Young on being voted PGA Tour Rookie of the Year by his peers,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement. “Cameron’s career has seen a remarkable rise over the last several years, and he quickly became a favorite among fans last season with the style in which he attacks the golf course. And, of course, given Cameron’s Wake Forest ties, receiving the Arnold Palmer Award as PGA Tour Rookie of the Year will certainly hold a special significance for him.”

The CJ Cup marks Young’s second event of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season, and he’ll play alongside several other stars, including 2021-22 PGA Tour Player of the Year, Scottie Scheffler. Young, who was part of the 2022 United States Presidents Cup team, finished T53 at last week’s Zozo Championship to start his 2022-23 PGA Tour season.

Despite all of Young’s success last season, however, he still came up short of what he coveted most: a Tour victory.

“Obviously had my fair share of chances, and I would hope one of them’s coming at some point,” said Young. “Yeah, it would be great just to finish out the year on a high note. And anytime you win out here — well, I don’t know, but supposedly it’s very special. Yeah, it would be a great place to do it, for sure.”

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Thitikul bags second LPGA Tour title as stellar rookie season continues

detlef32 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 10:11:48 +0000

Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul has become the first LPGA Tour rookie in five years to win twice in one season after she defeated Danielle Kang in a sudden-death playoff at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship held at Pinnacle Country Club.

Kang holed out for eagle on the 18th hole in regulation to take the clubhouse lead at 17 under. Thitikul matched her total with a birdie on the penultimate hole and signed for a closing 68, following up a 10-under-par 62 on Saturday. Thitikul won the play-off with a birdie at the second extra hole.

Victory saw the 19-year-old extend her lead in the LPGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year race over South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi. Her first LPGA Tour success came at the JTBC Classic in March, where she also won in a play-off.

Last season, Thitikul won the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol, Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year award, joining Laura Davies, Carlota Ciganda and Esther Henseleit as the only players to win the latter two honours in the same season.

Atthaya Thitikul WITB

DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond (9°)
FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Rogue ST LS (15°)
HYBRIDS: Callaway Apex UW (19°), Callaway Apex 4H (21°)
IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro (5-PW)
WEDGES: Callaway Jaws Forged (48°, 52°, 58°)
PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Atlanta
BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X

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