Charl Schwartzel factfile

Comes from a strong golf family. His father, George, was a top-level amateur before he became a professional coach. His brother, and occasional caddie, Adrian, is an emerging player on the South African circuit.

Highly promising amateur with victories in the Brabazon Trophy and Indian Amateur championship. Represented South Africa at the Eisenhower Trophy team competition.

Turned pro in 2002 and, at age 18, became the third youngest player to secure his European Tour card through the qualifying school.

First European Tour win came in 2005 at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Clinched his third European Tour title at the 2008 Madrid Masters, despite battling a virus and shoulder injury all week. Considered withdrawing from the event before changing his mind after a phone call to his father.

Played in six events on the 2009 US PGA Tour with a best finish of joint 17th at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and recorded five top-tens on the European Tour that season.

Won two more European Tour events early in 2010, the Africa Open and Joburg Open, before joining the PGA Tour as a special temporary member. In 11 appearances on US circuit, he recorded three top-tens, with a best finish of second at the WGC-CA Championship.

Began 2011 by retaining his Joburg Open title for a sixth success on the European Tour before joining the PGA Tour based on his non-member earnings from last year. Tied for 14th at last week's Houston Open before winning his first major title at the Masters.