Sami Välimäki has been named as the 2020 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year on the European Tour.
In 2018, the Finnish player won three out of four matches to help the Continent of Europe to victory in the St Andrews Trophy, represented Europe in the Bonallack Trophy, and helped Finland to a maiden European Amateur Team Championship title, winning four of his five matches in the process.
Välimäki earned his European Tour card through Qualifying School in November 2019 and went on to claim his first victory on the tour just four months later in Oman. His first season on tour ended with a top-five finish at the DP World Tour Championship, rising him to 11th in the Race to Dubai rankings presented by Rolex, and with a total of seven top-10 finishes to his name.
The 22-year-old is the first Finnish player to earn the Rookie of the Year title, and joins an impressive list including the likes of Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Sir Nick Faldo, and Colin Montgomerie.
“I am absolutely delighted to receive the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award,” said Välimäki. “It became a goal of mine, especially going into last week in Dubai, so it is an incredible feeling to finish it off with a strong final performance of 2020, and to be the first player from Finland to get this award is really special.
“I had a dream start to my season really, by winning so early in Oman and then the season was put on hold just a few weeks later. I am really proud of how I performed after the return to golf and some of the results I had, especially my performance at the DP World Tour Championship. Winning a tournament was a target for me and to win this award is amazing.”
For more information, please visit the European Tour website here