Rory McIlroy shines on awards night

• Rory McIlroy a double winner at European Tour Players’ Awards
• American Brooks Koepka was also a multiple winner in London
• Jamie Donaldson picks up European Tour Shot of the Year

Rory McIlroy added to the countless pieces of silverware he’s picked up over the past year with two more trophies at last night’s European Tour Players’ Awards.

The world No.1 – who has won seven events over the past 12 months and also the Race to Dubai – picked up the European Tour Golfer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards, while he was also a part of Team Europe’s success over USA at the Ryder Cup in September.

The Northern Irishman’s wins included claiming his third and fourth major titles at the Open and US PGA Championship respectively, while he also arrives at Wentworth Club this week as the defending champion.

But McIlroy wasn’t the only double-winner at the awards night, hosted at Sofitel Heathrow, as American Brooks Koepka’s incredible first year on the European Tour was rewarded with the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award, which was presented by friend and former winner Peter Uihlein. Koepka also received the Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year Award.

Members of the victorious 2014 European Ryder Cup team and captain Paul McGinley took to the stage and discussed their glorious week at Gleneagles, where Welshman Jamie Donaldson was recognised for his match-winning shot on the 15th fairway by winning European Tour Shot of the Year.

Gifts were then exchanged between the team and McGinley as the Irishman presented a framed limited edition print featuring Canadian Geese flying over the team to his dozen charges, their caddies and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who featured as a guest speaker at Gleneagles.

The players responded to that gesture with Justin Rose presenting McGinley with a framed picture signed by the entire team.

The awards night was the perfect start to the European Tour’s flagship event at the Surrey resort, with the star-studded BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am underway today before the competition begins in earnest on Thursday.

Here’s some pictures from the glitzy London event:

Rory McIlroy :: Award winner

Can Rory McIlroy follow up his awards success by defending his BMW PGA title? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below