SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 11: Jon Rahm of Spain watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 11, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Golf: Jon Rahm voted 2021 Player of the Year

Last updated Feb 17, 2022

World number one Jon Rahm has been voted the 2021 Player of the Year by professionals on the DP World Tour, picking up the Seve Ballesteros Award named after his fellow Spaniard, organisers said on Wednesday.

Rahm has won the award for the second time in three years after a season in which he secured his first major at the US Open, becoming the first champion from Spain and just the fourth Spaniard to win any major.

The 27-year-old also finished as Europe’s leading points scorer at the 2021 Ryder Cup, with 3.5 points from his five matches, and has spent an overall of 27 weeks as world number one.

.@JonRahmpga wins the Seve Ballesteros Award 👏

The World Number One was voted the 2021 Player of the Year by his fellow players on the DP World Tour 🏆

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 16, 2022

The Player of the Year award is named after the late five-times major champion Ballesteros, and, for the first time this year, incorporates the former Golfer of the Year award into one singular award, voted for by players.

“Winning anything with Seve’s name on it is a huge honour for me, as is the fact that this is voted for by the players of the DP World Tour,” Rahm said.

“It is very unique to be recognised by your peers like this. It is a true honour to be able to win this award for a second time and hopefully I can continue to make the DP World Tour proud.”

SuperSport/Nnenna.O