Reached World Number One for the first time in March 2012 after winning the Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour. That was one of numerous impressive performances early in the season - he reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, only to lose to Hunter Mahan, and finished third at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Underlined his reputation as one of the most exciting players in the game when he won his first Major in stunning fashion at the US Open in June 2011. Triumphed by eight shots at Congressional to become the second youngest European Major winner in history and banish the memories of two months earlier at the Masters Tournament, where he led by four shots going into the final round but carded an 80 to fall way back. Pushed Luke Donald all the way in The Race to Dubai, winning the UBS Hong Kong Open – the season’s penultimate event – to take it to the wire, but ultimately had to settle for second, the same position he occupied in 2009 when Lee Westwood pipped him to the Harry Vardon Trophy. Had near-misses in Majors in 2010, coming third in both The Open Championship and the US PGA Championship, his opening 63 in the former at St Andrews the lowest first round in the history of the tournament. Made his breakthrough on the US PGA Tour the same year, winning the Quail Hollow Championship after blitzing through the field with a final round 62 to beat Phil Mickelson. Became the second 20 year old to break into the world’s top ten, after Sergio Garcia, and reached a career-high World Number Two in 2011. Hit a 40 yard drive at the age of two and later enjoyed a glittering amateur career during which he reached the top of the World Amateur Rankings and became the youngest winner of the prestigious West of Ireland and Irish Closed Championship, in 2005. Caught the eye with a superb opening 68 in The 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day, and finished third in his second event as a professional, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. That earned him enough money to assure his place in the top 115 to be the then youngest and quickest Affiliate Member to secure his card – in just two events. Represented Europe at the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup and elevated to the real thing at The Celtic Manor Resort in October 2010, where he won two points out of four, including a crucial half in the singles against Stewart Cink on the final day.