There are 23 rookies on the PGA TOUR in 2017-18. This feature provides a subjective ranking updated weekly. The Rookie of the Year is voted by PGA TOUR members who make at least 15 starts.

SNAPSHOT: After months without serious competition for the Rookie of the Year award, Austin Cook suddenly finds himself in company for the honor and from the unlikeliest of threats.

Non-member Satoshi Kodaira prevailed at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. When he and Si Woo Kim concluded regulation at Harbour Town in 12-under 272, it triggered a sudden-death playoff that ended when the 28-year-old from Japan poured in a long-range look for birdie on the third extra hole (the par-3 17th).

Kodaira was making just his 15th PGA TOUR appearance spanning four seasons (dating back to 2013). Prior to a T28 at the Masters the previous week, he hadn’t finished inside a top 40. Unlikely, indeed.

Kodaira has yet to exhaust rookie eligibility and he is expected to accept membership within the 60-day window opened as a result of his win. Once he does, he will be added to the table below. With the victory added, he’d rank 37th among members in the FedExCup standings.

The last non-member who hadn’t yet exhausted rookie eligibility when he won a PGA TOUR event was Jordan Spieth at the 2013 John Deere Classic. However, he gained entry into that field via his spot in the Beyond 150 Reshuffle rewarded after achieving Special Temporary Membership [STM]. To find the last non-member who hadn’t yet exhausted rookie eligibility and who hadn’t yet qualified for STM prior to winning a PGA TOUR event, you have to go back to Paul Lawrie at the 1999 Open Championship.

As for incumbent rookies at the RBC Heritage, only two of five survived the cut.

The entire class is committed to this week’s Valero Texas Open. It would be the second time this season (CareerBuilder Challenge) when all would compete in the same event.

LOW ROOKIE: Austin Cook, T50. Sixth time (Win, RSM; T22, Sentry; T18, Sony; T31, Waste Management; MC, Masters).

CAREER-BEST FINISHES (AND TIES): None.

* - In the field at the Valero Texas Open as of April 15.

Through the RBC Heritage

NOTE: A player’s rookie season ("Rookie Year") is defined as the season in which he becomes a PGA TOUR member (including Special Temporary Members) and plays in 10 or more events as a member or finishes in the Top 125 on the Official FedExCup Points List, the Top 125 on the Official PGA TOUR Money List or qualifies as a Top 125 - Nonmember, whichever occurs first. Further, for purposes of this definition, a new member (including Special Temporary Members) shall not be eligible for the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year if he has previously played in more than seven (7) Official PGA TOUR Money events as a professional in any prior season.