The inaugural winner of the award was the Spanish golfer Sergio García. During his debut season as a professional, the 19-year-old finished one stroke behind Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and became the youngest player to gain selection for Team Europe for the Ryder Cup.
The first recipient of the award was Sergio García, a Spanish golfer. During his rookie season as a professional, at age 19, he came one stroke short of Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and became the youngest player to be chosen for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.