What is the Arnold Palmer Rookie of the Year Award? Everything You Need to Know about the Most Prestigious Rookie Accolade

The official PGA Tour season is already over with the RSM Classic. But a wrap-up to the official season means a curtain call for the crème de la crème at the season-ending award ceremony. Aside from the Player of the Year, one of the most anticipated awards is the Arnold Palmer Rookie of the Year.

As the name suggests, the PGA Tour honors the best debutant of a season through this accolade. First, the members of the Players Advisory Council—from which Rory McIlroy resigned last week—nominate the golfers of their choice. Then, the players who have teed off in at least 15 tournaments this year cast their votes. While the final names are yet to be announced, let’s take a look at the award that started 33 years ago.

What does the Arnold Palmer Rookie of the Year Award celebrate?

The Rookie of the Year award was renamed after legendary golfer Arnold Palmer in 2019. Palmer, a seven-time Major winner, drew in an immense number of people into golf with his “go-for-broke” playing style.

In the official announcement in 2019, Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, said, “Arnold Palmer was golf`s greatest ambassador with his go-for-broke style of play, his charitable endeavors, and his true passion and respect for the game and its fans.” The 62-time PGA Tour winner was also loved for his off-the-greens gestures, which inspired countless young golfers in the sport.

Celebrating the legacy, the Tour decided to award the rookie of the year with a trophy featuring the golf legend. Notably, PGAT considers the rookie season to be the one when a player first earns his PGA Tour card, finishes in the Top 125 on the money list for the first time, or plays in 10 or more events in the season, whichever happens first.

John Daly and Robert Gamez were the first two recipients of the award. This year’s winner will have the chance to etch his name on the list that includes the likes of Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, current No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and last year’s winner Cameron Young.

Who can win this year?

Although it’s purely speculative at this point, there are a few names that have made the rounds. For Eric Cole, who earned his tour card at the age of 35, it’s better late than never. Playing in 37 events, Cole made 27 cuts, with seven top-10 finishes and 14 top-25 finishes to his name, while another rookie, Vincent Norrman, played in 29 events, making 17 cuts. The Swedish pro also won the 2023 Barbasol Championship.

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However, it’s Norrman’s compatriot, Ludvig Aberg, who has quickly emerged as the fan favorite since turning pro in June. His stellar performance was soon followed by a call to the European Ryder Cup team, where he brought home two crucial points, including a 9&7 thrashing of Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler, partnering with his Scandinavian counterpart, Viktor Hovland. The 24-year-old Texas Tech alumnus netted his first PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic last week. Aberg, undoubtedly, is the hot favorite to bag the title next month.

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