Charl Schwartzel

Clinched his third European Tour title with a fine victory at the Madrid Masters, despite battling illness all week, as he rallied towards the end of the 2008 season to finish inside the Order of Merit Top 30. His other highlights included finishing third in Qatar, one of seven top-10 finishes. His first European Tour victory came at the 2005 Dunhill Championship in his native South Africa and he was close to retaining the title when he was tied runner-up behind compatriot Ernie Els at Leopard Creek at the start of the 2006 season. That was the first of three second places that year which helped him finish 18th on the Order of Merit – his highest placing to date. Had Els's former caddie, Ricci Roberts, on the bag when he won the Open de Espana – also held in Madrid - in 2007, exactly 50 events after his maiden victory. Became the then third youngest player to secure his European Tour card through the Qualifying School when, at the age of 18 years and 81 days, he claimed 24th place in 2002. Arrived at the Qualifying School as a highly promising amateur with victories in the Brabazon Trophy and Indian Amateur Open Championship and having represented South Africa in the Eisenhower Trophy in Malaysia.