Matteo Manassero from Italy posses the trophy after winning the final round of the Castellon Masters Golf Costa de Azahar at the Castellon's Club de Campo, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)Alberto Saiz/The Associated Press
VIRGINIA WATER, England - Italian teen Matteo Manassero has been named the European Tour rookie of the year, the youngest golfer ever to earn the honour.
The award comes on the heels of a record-breaking start to his professional career which included becoming the youngest tournament winner on the Tour at the age of 17 when he won the Castello Masters last month in only his 11th start.
In April, he also became the youngest amateur to compete in the Masters and the youngest player to make the cut.
"I never expected to win on Tour so quickly and to win the Rookie of the Year Award is a perfect way to end my first season as a professional," said Manassero,who joins a group that includes Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia in winning the award.
"It is such a special award because you only get one chance to win it so it is a great honour.
"When you see the amazing players that have won the Award in the past, you see how important these players were in golf's history and to have your name beside them is exciting.
"Then you see that Martin Kaymer won the Rookie of the Year only three years ago and now he is the Number One in Europe after winning The Race to Dubai. I hope I can follow in Martin's footsteps one day."
Manassero, who also became the youngest player to become a full-time member of the European Tour, is the first Italian to win the rookie award.
Also considered for the honour were Englishmen Gary Boyd, James Morrison and John Parry as well as Welshman Rhys Davies, who finished 18th on the Tour's money list, otherwise known as the Race To Dubai.
Files from the Associated Press were used in this report