The choice of Jon Rahm as 2017 European Tour ‘Rookie of the Year’ has caused a storm on social media.
Richard Bland, and always one never to take a back step, has led the criticism going onto Twitter to lambast the Tour and declaring fellow Englishman Jordan Smith was more entitled to the award.
Bland said: “Sorry @EuropeanTour you’ve made a mistake here! @Jsmithgolfshould be rookie of the year! Supported the tour week in week out & wins a big event!”
Others have backed Bland’s call.
John Rahm and England’s Jordan Smith … Images Golf Monthly.
Eddie Pepperell said: . “In total agreement with Blandy here. I considered tweeting my thoughts earlier but didn’t want to cause a stir.”
And number of other players, including defending DP World Tour Championship winner, Matthew Fitzpatrick, have since retweeted Bland’s tweet.
The argument in favour of Smith is that he contested 30 European Tour events this year in his maiden Tour season winning the European Open and enjoying four other top-10s to by lying 26th on the Race to Dubai.
Rahm played in 12 highlighted by winning the Irish Open along with a second and a third in two WGC events.
Against Rahm is that of the dozen, the Spaniard only competed on European soil on five occasions.
