TOP 20 IN THEIR 20s: No. 12  Editor's Note: Our "Top 20 in Their 20s" series continues as PGATOUR.com counts down the top golfers on the PGA TOUR aged 20-29 over the next two weeks. The list is based on 14 statistical categories, including TOUR wins, Official World Golf Ranking, percentage of time spent in the top 10 throughout their career and 2007 FedExCup performance. Get to know No. 12: Camilo Villegas.
Practically overnight, this well-known Colombian and Florida Gator became a wildly popular star on the PGA TOUR. Camilo Villegas got into the hearts and minds of golf fans by catching their eyes with his bold wardrobe choices and his "Spiderman" crouching position as he reads the greens.
Not to mention, Villegas has garnered quite the female following thanks to his shaggy, dirty-blond hair and his status as one of People Magazine's Hottest Bachelors of 2006. (Note: Villegas was also named by Golf Digest as the "Most Ripped Guy on the PGA TOUR, Tiger Woods included.) "Dating, golf, life -- it's all about commitment." Villegas told People Magazine last year. Known in his home country as El Hombre De Araņa (Spanish for Spider-man), his popularity in Colombia led to Colombian television picking up the broadcasts of 30 TOUR events in 2006. But Villegas' flashy attire and heartthrob status has somewhat overshadowed his golf game. His small 5-foot-9-inch, 160 lb. frame has the ability to virtually crush the ball. Villegas is ranked 19th on TOUR in driving distance. During his tenure as a Gator, Villegas was a four-time All-American and garnered several Academic All-American awards and SEC honors. He also won his native country's Open in 2001, and was a co-medalist with Kevin Stadler at the 2002 Western Amateur Championship. Following Villegas' stellar collegiate career, he ventured out on mini-tours, flirting with the PGA TOUR as well. Villegas was an instant success in his first professional year, winning a Hooters Tour event by 10 strokes and carding a tie for 7th and a solo 12th place finish in five of 10 cuts made in PGA TOUR events. In 2007 he was winless but still earned $1.8 million and had three top-10 finishes during the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Villegas came thisclose to victory at The Honda Classic before losing to Mark Wilson in a playoff.
"A win? Well, that's why we play golf," Villegas said. "Obviously, some guys do it more than others, but I have been working hard not only the last year but the last 12 years. I wanted to be on the PGA TOUR, and now I'm here. I wanted to win in college, and I did." Although his win hasn't come yet, Villegas is sure it will. After all, he points out that everything else he worked for he has achieved so far in his career. "Slowly, I'm accomplishing goals," Villegas said. "Is it going to happen? I don't know; I'll give it my best." Who will be No. 11? Hint: This rookie was introduced to golf by his maternal grandmother, who managed a golf course in West Plains, Mo. |
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