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.
Sergio García, the inaugural Spanish winner of the award, was 19 years old during his professional debut. At the 1999 PGA Championship, he finished one stroke behind Tiger Woods and became the youngest player selected for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.