Britain's Ian Poulter has been awarded the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award on the European Tour. The 24-year-old won the Italian Open last month and finished 31st on the Order of Merit - after coming 23rd at the tour's qualifying school last November. Last year's winner of the prestigious award was Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia. "It's a great honour. Even more so when I look at the list of the previous winners. When I grew up, Nick Faldo, who grew up not far from my home, was one of my inspirations and it's great to follow in his footsteps," he said.
Meanwhile, Pierre Fulke has won the European Tour's Canon Shot of the Year Award. The Swede's five-wood second to the 16th hole in the final round of the Volvo Masters earlier this month has been chosen in succession to Sergio Garcia's shot from behind a tree at last year's US PGA championship. Fulke hit his five-wood over water to 25 feet for an eagle that set up his victory over Darren Clarke. "It was, without question, the best shot I've hit in my career – especially under the pressure of knowing the title was on the line," he said. "The wind was off the left, blowing towards the water guarding the green. I hit the shot just where I aimed. It was dangerous and I knew it. My mouth was dry, but I knew as soon as I made contact that it was a good strike. The eagle putt was a bonus," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
