Tom Lewis has been named European Tour rookie of the year following a brilliant 12 months which saw him grab and Open silver medal.
Lewis carded the lowest round by an amateur in the history of the British Open in July.
He followed it up by earning a spot in the Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team, before joining the European Tour as a professional in September.
Speaking after being given the award he said: "I appreciate this honour very much. It certainly tops off what has been an amazing year.
"I think my dad is more excited about me winning this award than my first Tour victory in October.
"I might not even have been a golfer if it wasn't for dad, but he has definitely made me into the golfer I've become. He is really the person who made this possible.
"It was wonderful to win the Open silver medal and shoot 65 in the first round, but I think people will remember the 65 in Portugal because it secured my first professional win.
"It was a great year and a privilege to be part of the winning Walker Cup team in my final amateur event.
"But now I have a two-year exemption on the European Tour and can't wait to get started in 2012."
Lewis beat Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark and Scott Jamieson of Scotland to the award.
