Secured his place in the history books with a magnificent victory in The 139th Open Championship at St Andrews. His seven stroke win placed him alongside South African legends Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els as Open Champions. It was only his ninth appearance in a Major Championship and came four months after his European Tour breakthrough, his victory in the Open de Andalucia de Golf instilling the belief that he could win. He duly delivered on the biggest stage of all at St Andrews in commanding style. Added a third title early in the 2011 season, defeating Chris Wood and Manuel Quiros in a play-off for the Africa Open. Came through the Ernie Els Foundation, which he joined in 2000, and was part of the South African team, alongside fellow European Tour Member Charl Schwartzel, which won the World Junior Team Championships in 2000. Also won the Irish Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship before turning professional and then learning his trade on the Challenge Tour before becoming an established member of The European Tour and now Open Champion. Fulfilled a childhood dream when he represented South Africa alongside close friend Schwartzel in the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup. Has already set up his own foundation at Mossel Bay, his home course where he once shot 57, for the next generation of South African golfers, all of whom will have been inspired by his performance at the Home of Golf. His father and brother both played tennis at provincial level.