Top 5 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 2024 candidates ft. 31-year-old Farmers Insurance Open winner

As the 2024 PGA Tour season approaches its end, attention is turning to this year’s PGA Tour awards. Last year, 35-year-old Eric Cole edged out Ludvig Aberg to win the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. This time, several impressive newcomers are in contention for the title.

In this article, we’ll take a look at five finalists who could win the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.

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Finalists for the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 2024 explored

1) Matthieu Pavon

Matthieu Pavon won the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open (Image Source: Imagn)

Matthieu Pavon played 19 events this season and missed only four cuts. He achieved four top-ten finishes, including a historic win at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. For the uninitiated, he became the first Frenchman to win on Tour in 117 years.

In the majors, the 31-year-old Frenchman finished T12 at the Masters and placed solo fifth at the US Open. He made it to the playoffs and tied for seventeenth at the Tour Championship.

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2) Nick Dunlap

Nick Dunlap is a strong contender for the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year 2024 (Image Source: Imagn)

Nick Dunlap is another debutant who had an incredible season. He turned professional earlier this year after winning the American Express as an amateur, becoming the first amateur since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win on the PGA Tour.

Following his first win, Dunlap turned professional and soon captured his maiden title as a pro at the Barracuda Championship. The 20-year-old golfer played in 23 events and made 15 cuts.

Dunlap recorded seven top-25 finishes, including four top tens. He also played in the BMW Championship and barely missed out on the Tour Championship after tying for 31st at the BMW Championship.

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3) Jake Knapp

Jake Knapp during the PGA Mexico Open at Vidanta (Image Source: Getty)

Jake Knapp is another player aged 30 or above contending for the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. He won his debut event at the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Knapp played 22 events and made 17 cuts, registering four top-ten finishes but has failed to make any top-ten since May.

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Michael Thorbjornsen

Michael Thorbjornsen during the John Deere Classic (Image Source: Imagn)

Michael Thorbjornsen turned professional this year through PGA Tour University, becoming only the second player to do so. He played 10 events this season and made five cuts. Among his two top-ten finishes, he achieved a joint runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic.

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5) Alejandro Tosti

Alejandro Tosti at the Charles Schwab Challenge (Image Source: Imagn)

Alejandro Tosti made 25 starts this year but missed a whopping 14 cuts. The T2 finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open was his best result this year.