Ricardo Santos In The Bag: The Rookie Of The Year’s Clubs
Published: Last updated:
Ricardo Santos has won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award following a stand-out season on the European Tour.
Titleist staffer Santos becomes the first Portuguese player to win the award thanks to a sensational debut season on the European Tour, during which he claimed his maiden tour title at the Madeira Islands Open and re-wrote the record books.
Santos became the first rookie winner on the 2012 schedule after a stunning final round 63 helped him claim victory by three shots at the Madeira Islands Open. His 22-under-par winning total was a new tournament record and his final round 63 remains the lowest closing round by a winner during the 2012 season.
He went on to finish 90th in the Race to Dubai standings, with a total of € 264,174. His other good finishes came at the Avantha Masters (T10), the Portugal Masters (T16) and the Hong Kong Open (T15).
His award completes another hugely successful year for Titleist Brand Ambassadors and Titleist golf ball loyalists on the European Tour, accumulating an impressive 23 victories, compared to eight for the nearest competitor.
Among the list of winners was Rory McIlroy, Bernd Weisberger, Jbe Kruger, Michael Hoey, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Matteo Manassero. Louis Oosthuizen was one of a number of Titleist golf ball loyalists to win, alongside the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie, Nicholas Colsaerts, Robert Rock, Jamie Donaldson and Luke Donald.
The success of Titleist loyalists on the European Tour was mirrored at the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School, where 25 of the 28 qualifiers put their trust in the feel and control of the Pro V1 franchise.
Ricardo Santos In The Bag:
Driver: Titleist 910D3
Fairway wood: Titleist 913fd
Hybrid: 910H
Irons: Titleist AP2 and MB irons,
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM4 gap, sand and lob.
Ball: Titleist ProV1x
