Peter Uihlein becomes first American to win European Tour rookie award

Peter Uihlein has become the first American to win the European Tour's Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.

The 24-year-old won his first professional title at the Madeira Islands Open and carded a number of strong finishes in other tournaments, including a sudden-death playoff defeat to David Howell at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

"It's an honour to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award," said Uihlein.

"I wasn't expecting it, but it's been a great year and I'm very pleased. I think I'm the first non-European to win it, so that's a great honour. Any time you're the first of anything, it's neat."

Uihlein finished in 14th place on the cumulative Race to Dubai standings after a disappointing 51st-placed finish over the weekend in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.