Rickie Fowler Named PGA Rookie Of The Year, Topping Rory McIlroy

Rickie Fowler has been named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, the youngest player to receive ROY honors since Tiger Woods won the award in 1996. But Fowler, who’s hair would make any Justin Beiber fan melt, took the title in amid controversy as Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy finished second in voting.

Although Fowler had an excellent first full season, with two runner-up finishes, seven top-10 finishes and rising to No. 25 in the Official World Golf Rankings after starting the season ranked No. 249, Fowler failed to win a tournament unlike fellow rookie McIlroy. McIlroy, who won at Quail Hallow this year, an elite tournament with a stacked field, also added five top-10 finishes to his first year resume, including finishing third in the year’s final two majors. Both players made the Ryder Cup teams this year as well, however McIlroy’s European team topped the Americans.

Voting for Rookie of the Year is conducted by the players, and numbers were not released. But world No. 1 Lee Westwood ripped the players for picking Fowler. Westwood posted this on Twitter page:

And here’s the full text of his rant:

Sorry 140 letters is not going to be enough for this rant! Just seen Ricky Fowler has been given rookie of the year! Yes he’s had a good year but rory mcilroy 3rd in 2 majors and an absolute demolition of the field at quail hollow! Oh yes and on the winning Ryder cup team! Please! Is this yet another case of protectionism by the pga tour or are they so desperate to win something! Wouldn’t have something to do with Rory not joining the tour next year? Maybe the PGA tour just employs the same voting process as FIFA! Come on , fairs fair!

Rigging the voting? Harsh words from Westwood, coming to the defense of his Ryder Cup teammate.