Will there be a second straight PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award winner in his 30s? Last year, Eric Cole, 35, won the award, and this year, two finalists are in their 30s. The award, like the Player of the Year, is determined by a member vote with Tour members who played in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2024 season eligible to vote. Two-time winner Robert MacIntyre isn’t eligible because he played more than seven tournaments in a previous season.
Matthieu Pavon, 31, became the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour since 1907 when he won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Playing in 19 events and making 15 cuts, Pavon has earned $5.25 million this season and recorded four top-10 finishes. Jake Knapp, 30, won the Mexico Open at Vidanta, played in 22 events, made 17 cuts, and earned just under $3.1 million with four top-10 finishes.
Nick Dunlap, 20, was the first amateur since 1991 to win a PGA Tour event at the American Express. He later won the Barracuda Championship as a professional, playing in 23 events, missing eight cuts, and earning $2.93 million with four top-10 finishes. Michael Thorbjornsen, 23, earned his Tour membership via PGA Tour University and made the cut in five of his 10 events in 2024, earning just over $1 million with two top-10 finishes.
Alejandro Tosti, 28, played in 25 events in 2024 but made only 11 cuts, with his best finish being a tie for second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. He has earned $1,086,746. These five players are the finalists the PGA Tour has identified for the Rookie of the Year award. The winner will be determined by a member vote, and the award will be given to the player who received the most votes and played in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2024 season.
