With eight events of the European Senior Tour campaign remaining, Englishman Gary Wolstenholme is in pole position in the race for the prestigious Rookie of the Year.
Wolstenholme has earned €89,775 so far in 2011, with American Tim Thelen, the winner of the Senior Tour Qualifying School, his nearest rival having amassed €56,025 from just four events after turning 50 in June.
Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit was crowned Rookie of the Year in 2010 – also winning the Order of Merit – joining an illustrious group of past winners that includes Carl Mason (2003), Costantino Rocca (2007), Ian Woosnam (2008) and Mike Harwood (2009).
After winning the Casa Serena Open on just his second Senior Tour appearance last season, Wolstenholme has continued to fare well during his first full campaign in 2011 and is now favourite to succeed Ruangkit.
The former Amateur Champion and Walker Cup player has finished third on three occasions so far this term, in the Handa Australian Senior Open, the Mauritius Commercial Bank Open and the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open.
Thelen, meanwhile, has made an impressive start to life on the Senior Tour after securing his card in confident fashion in Portugal last November.
The American, currently 21st on the Order of Merit, finished third on his debut in the Berenberg Bank Masters and joint runner up in the Van Lanschot Senior Open.
Welshman Mark Mouland is also in contention for the Rookie of the Year Award after earning €40,150 from six appearances. His best finish so far has been a share of third place in the ISPS Handa Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum.
The next event on the Senior Tour schedule is the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont St Andrews next week.
