Sami Välimäki has become the first Finnish player to be named the European Tour’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after an impressive 2020 campaign which included a maiden win at March’s Oman Open and culminated in a top-five finish at the season-ending Rolex Series event, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The 22-year-old’s first season on the European Tour comprised seven top-ten finishes, including his victory in Oman, a runner-up finish in Wales, and a top-five in last week’s finale, which helped him finish 11th in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
Välimäki, who earned his European Tour card through Qualifying School last year, sealed victory in just his sixth European Tour start at the Oman Open in March, overcoming South Africa’s Brandon Stone in a play-off at Almouj Golf.
After the European Tour’s four-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Välimäki rekindled that early season form at the UK Swing’s double-header at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, where a top ten in the Celtic Classic was followed directly by a runner-up finish in the ISPS HANDA Wales Open – losing out to Romain Langasque by two strokes.
A top ten in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters followed two weeks later and, after making his Major Championship debut in September’s U.S. Open, he picked up another strong finish courtesy of a share of sixth place at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open in November.
The former European Amateur Team Championship winner with Finland entered the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in 18th position on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, before producing one of the best performances of his career over the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Playing alongside the would-be Race to Dubai Champion Lee Westwood in the final round, Välimäki enjoyed a stunning start with four birdies in the opening five holes. He signed for a fourth successive 69 for a share of fifth place, elevating him to 11th place in the final Race to Dubai Rankings.
Välimäki was chosen as Rookie of the Year by a panel comprising the European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer Keith Waters, Deputy Director of Tournament Operations David Probyn, and two members of the Tournament Committee, Chairman and European Tour Board Member David Howell and former European Tour Number One Robert Karlsson.
He joins an impressive list of former winners which include Sir Nick Faldo (1977), Martin Kaymer (2007), Brooks Koepka (2014) and Jon Rahm (2017), all of whom have gone on to become World Number One.
Keith Waters, the European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Many congratulations to Sami for a truly superb campaign on the European Tour and for making history by becoming the first Finn to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.
European Tour Release, Dec 14, 2020
