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VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) -- Martin Kaymer was named the European Tour's Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, the first German to win the award.

The 22-year-old from Duesseldorf finished 41st on the money list after earning $1.1 million. Kaymer graduated to the European Tour from the Challenge Tour at the end of 2006 after twice failing to come through qualifying school.

A selection panel comprising the European Tour, the Royal & Ancient and the association of golf writers chose Kaymer for the Sir Henry Cotton rookie of the year award, which dates back to 1960.

"To be the first winner from my country is a very special honor," Kaymer said. "When I look at the list of previous winners -- people like Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie -- that makes it even more spectacular."

Kaymer recorded four top 10 finishes this year on his way to qualifying for the Volvo Masters. There, he shot the lowest round of the week, a 5-under 66 in the third round, to finish sixth.

Kaymer, who succeeds Marc Warren, was up against Alvaro Quiros of Spain and Alexander Noren of Sweden.