1979: December 16 - Born in Somerset West, near Cape Town in South Africa.

1997: Becomes South African amateur champion, and is runner-up at the British Amateur.

1998: Wins South African amateur stroke play championship and becomes US Public Links champion.

1999: Makes cut in Masters as an amateur, turns professional, but fails to earn European Tour card at qualifying school.

2000: Wins South African Players Championship and Kenya Open, graduates from European Challenge Tour.

2003: Wins South African Open and World Cup with Rory Sabbatini.

2004: Makes successful defence of South African Open and wins Deutsche Bank Open.

2005: Fifth in Masters and is picked by Gary Player for Presidents Cup.

2006: Maiden US Tour win at Western Open.

2007: Wins second Presidents Cup cap, but is struck down by a mystery illess. After recovering, wins the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.

December: Undergoes operation for a tumour on his diaphragm that turns out to be benign.

2008: Becomes the first South African since Gary PLayer to win the Masters, beating Tiger Woods by three shots at Augusta National.