Claimed his second Major Championship when, as World Number 69, he became the lowest ranked player to win the Masters Tournament in 2009, defeating Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off at Augusta National. Became the first Argentine winner of the US Open Championship when he won his first Major title at Oakmont Country Club in 2007, holding off then World Number One Tiger Woods and another former US Open Champion, Jim Furyk, to win by a stroke. Followed Roberto de Vicenzo, who won The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool 40 years earlier, as the second Argentine Major Champion, sparking massive celebrations across the country while his home town of Cordoba came to a standstill. As a result of his Major triumph, he was accorded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour. By the end of the year he had also secured The European Tour Shot of the Year Award for his approach to the 15th at Oakmont and the Argentine Sportsman of the Year Award. Caddying at Cordoba from the age of ten fostered his interest before Eduardo Romero recognised his potential, encouraged him to take up the game and gave him financial assistance in his early professional years. Prior to his US Open triumph, recorded three victories on The European Tour, including the 2005 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club after twice finishing runner-up in the previous four years. Nicknamed “El Pato” – the Duck.