GOLF

Every winner of the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year Award (some names may surprise you)

Adam Woodard
USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 27, 2023Updated Dec. 19, 2024, 12:30 p.m. ET
Tiger Woods after winning the 1996 Walt Disney World Classic. (Courtesy of Disney World)

The silly season debate on who deserves to be the Rookie of the Year always makes things interesting during the last weeks of PGA Tour season.

The PGA Tour has given the Arnold Palmer Award to its Rookie of the Year annually since Robert Gamez in 1990. Many a major champion have earned the honor – including the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler, to name a few – but a few of the winners may surprise you.

Meet all 35 winners of the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year Award.

Shop Worldwide Golf Shops' extended Cyber Monday sale

1990 — Robert Gamez

Robert Gamez watches the ball fly during the 1992 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club.

1991 — John Daly

John Daly holds the trophy after winning the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Indiana.

1992 — Mark Carnevale

Mark Carnevale sends a drive down the fairway at the Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

1993 — Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh hits a shot during the 1993 U.S. Open at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.

1994 — Ernie Els

Ernie Els holds up his trophy after winning the 1994 U.S. Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

1995 — Woody Austin

Woody Austin hits the ball during the 1995 Kapalua Invitational at the Kapalua golf course in Maui, Hawaii.

1996 — Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods on the fifth hole during the third round of the 1996 PGA Tour Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

PGA Tour rookie Tiger Woods holds a check after winning the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational at TPC at Summerlin. (Photo: Lennox McLendon, Associated Press)

1997 — Stewart Cink

Stewart Cink poses with the trophy after the 1997 Canon Greater Open at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

1998 — Steve Flesch

Steve Flesch at the 1998 Freeport McDermott Classic at English Turn in New Orleans, Louisiana.

1999 — Carlos Franco

Carlos Franco plays with a ball before a million dollar golf challenge in 1999.

2000 — Michael Clark II

Michael Clark II follows his drive during the 2000 Mercedes Championships at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.

2001 — Charles Howell III

Charles Howell III at the 2001 Accenture Match Play Championship at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.

2002 — Jonathan Byrd

Jonathan Byrd poses with the trophy after winning the 2002 Buick Challenge at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

2003 — Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis, the 2003 Open Championship winner, poses with the Claret Jug onboard the high speed London to Sandwich Open Championship train service at Royal St. George's on May 25, 2011 in Sandwich, England.

2004 — Todd Hamilton

Todd Hamilton kisses the claret jug following his victory in the 133rd Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club on July 18, 2004 in Troon, Scotland.

2005 — Sean O'Hair

Sean O'Hair holds the trophy after winning the 2005 John Deere Championship at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

2006 — Trevor Immelman

Trevor Immelman at the 2006 South African Airways Open at Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

2007 — Brandt Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker poses with the trophy after winning the 2007 Wyndham Championship at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

2008 — Andres Romero

Andres Romero follows through on his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club.

2009 — Marc Leishman

Marc Leishman waves during the third round of the 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship held at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts.

2010 — Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler awaits his turn on the 16th tee box during the practice round of the 2010 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

2011 — Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley reacts after making a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the final round of the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

2012 — John Huh

John Huh on the tee of the third during the final round of the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course.

2013 — Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth reacts after chipping in for a birdie on the third hole during the final round of the 2013 AT&T National at Congressional Country Club.

2014 — Chesson Hadley

Chesson Hadley in Round 3 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Lodge and Club.

2015 — Daniel Berger

Daniel Berger hits his drive on the first hole during the final round of the 2015 Franklin Templeton Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club.

2016 — Emiliano Grillo

Emiliano Grillo reacts on the range during a practice round prior to the start of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

2017 — Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele hoists the trophy after winning the 2017 Greenbrier Classic. (Imagn Images)

2018 — Aaron Wise

Aaron Wise won the 2018 AT&T Bryson Nelson by three shots for his first PGA Tour victory,

2019 — Sungjae Im

Sungjae Im acknowledges the gallery on the second green during the first round of the 2019 CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges at the Club at Nine Bridges in Jeju, South Korea.

2020 — Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler holds up his ball and score card in celebration after posting a 59 during the second round of the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston.

2021 — Will Zalatoris

Will Zalatoris plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club.

2022 — Cameron Young

Cameron Young plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the 2022 Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas.

2023 - Eric Cole

Eric Cole hits a tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the 2023 RSM Classic on the Seaside Course at Sea Island Resort in St. Simons Island, Georgia.

2024 - Nick Dunlap

Nick Dunlap reacts to winning the 2024 American Express at Pete Dye Stadium Course in La Quinta, California.
Featured Weekly Ad