Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal received the perfect boost ahead of this week’s Open de España when he was presented with his Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award for 2008.
The 25 year old from Barcelona - who succeeds last year’s winner Martin Kaymer of Germany – became the fourth Spaniard to receive the award, following José Maria Olazábal in 1986, Sergio Garcia in 1999 and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño in 2005 and, suitably, he was presented with the award at PGA Golf Catalunya by Fernandez-Castaño himself.
Like the illustrious Spanish trio before him, Larrazabal also claimed his maiden European Tour title in his first full season on Tour. The Spaniard’s victory in the Open de France ALSTOM in June 2008 was made all the more remarkable by the fact that he earned his place in the tournament through the 36-hole pre-qualifying event held in Chantilly the previous week.
Despite, in his own words, being “the 150th best player” in the event, Larrazabal never looked back after compiling an opening round of 65 at Le Golf National in Versailles, before eventually cruising to a four shot win despite a concerted effort on the final day by Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie.
“Winning the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award is something you can only do once in your life so I am very happy to have achieved it," he said. "If you take a look at some of the names on the trophy; guys like Tony Jacklin, Sam Torrance, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, José-Maria Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Gonzalo himself who presented me with the award today – it is a great honour to be up there with them.
“At the beginning of the season I didn’t even dream about winning it, it was not amongst my goals, I wanted to keep my card and look for goals for 2009, my second season. But to win this prize was the best way to end a first almost perfect season, with the victory in the Open de France ALSTOM and then finishing second in the World Cup for Spain with Miguel Angel Jiménez.”
