Warren wins Cotton award

Scotland's Marc Warren has beaten some stiff competition to land the European Tour Rookie of the Year award, joining some of Europe's most famous names in lifting the Sir Henry Cotton Trophy.

The 25 year-old (pictured) won the Scanadinavian Masters in August after defeating Ryder Cup star Robert Karlsson in a playoff at the second extra hole. He has continued his good form in recent weeks and secured top-five positions at the European Masters and last week's Mallorca Classic.

Last year's Challenge Tour money winner becomes the second Scot in three years to win the award after holding off strong challenges from Englishman Ross Fisher and Spain's Alejandro Canizares.

Warren was delighted to have been given the award and spoke of his pride at joining a host of champions as a winner of the trophy, saying that he hopes to emulate some of them during the next few years.

"Just looking at some of the names on the list - Tony Jackin, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Jose Maria Olazabal - makes me feel like I am in illustrious company," he said.

"All of those players have won Majors and played in several Ryder Cups and that is what I want to achieve in the future. You can only win this award once and it was definitely a goal for me at the start of the year. I feel relieved because when something goes to a vote you know that anything can happen."