The first PGA TOUR member from Venezuela enjoyed an outstanding rookie year on the PGA TOUR, with three top-10 finishes in 25 starts, highlighted by a playoff win in California.

He defeated Gary Woodland at the Bob Hope Classic on the second playoff hole (No. 10) at the Palmer Private Course PGA West with a miraculous par after hitting tee shot into a water hazard. Hit approach shot to 13 feet after penalty drop and drained the putt for a par 4, while Woodland was unable to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker. Defending champion Bill Haas was eliminated on the first playoff hole. On the week, posted rounds of 64-67-67-66-69—333 and held a share of the lead following rounds 2-4. Won in his second start as a PGA TOUR member and fifth career start on the TOUR. First rookie to win in the 52 year history of the Bob Hope Classic and just the third rookie to win on TOUR since 2008. Joined Arnold Palmer (1960) and Charley Hoffman (2007) as the only players to win the Bob Hope Classic in their first start. Dating to 2002, Pat Perez (2009) and Vegas are the only players to win the Bob Hope Classic after playing the first round on the Palmer Private Course at PGA West. Seventh first-time winner of the Bob Hope Classic and the fourth in the last five years. Previous first-time winners include: Bill Rogers (1978), Craig Stadler (1980), Donnie Hammond (1986), Charley Hoffman (2007), Pat Perez (2009) and Bill Haas (2010). The last three-man at the Bob Hope Classic was in 1989 when Steve Jones defeated Sandy Lyle and Paul Azinger.

One week later, finished T3 at the Farmers Insurance Open, with four rounds in the 60s (69-69-69-68). With the opportunity to tie Bubba Watson and grab a share of the lead on the 72nd hole, hit second shot on the par 5 into greenside water hazard and made bogey to fall from contention. One of just two players (Phil Mickelson) to record all four rounds in the 60s on the week, the first players to do so at Torrey Pines since 2001. First rookie to lead the FedExCup standings at any point of a season.

Did not crack the top 10 until 22 starts later. In his bid to win in the city that shares his last name, finished T5 (his third top 10 of the season) at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. Shared the lead after each of the first two rounds with scores of 67-63, with weekend rounds of 69-68 leaving him six strokes behind champion Kevin Na.

Enjoyed his top World Golf Championships performance when he finished 10th at the HSBC Champions in early November in Shanghai on the strength of weekend rounds of 65-68.

Made 23 starts and had a win, two seconds and a third-place finish among his 15 made cuts. Also ended the year T3 in Driving Distance, with an average of 312.9 yards per drive.

In his fourth career Nationwide Tour start, at the South Georgia Classic, he finished second, one stroke back of winner Ewan Porter, which vaulted him from No. 147 to No. 14.

Three starts later he recorded his second top-10 finish, at the Melwood Prince George's County Open. Was T16 going into the weekend and shot 66-68 to finish T7.

Entered the final round at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open six strokes behind and shot a final-round 64 to take the clubhouse lead. Finished his round 90 minutes before the leaders. His one-stroke advantage held up when Steven Bowditch and Roberto Castro came to the par-5 18th hole at Crestview CC needing birdies to force a playoff. Bowditch double-bogeyed and Castro made par. The victory, worth $103,500, was a career-best and moved him to No. 7 on the money list at the time.

Three weeks after his win in Wichita finished T2 in Utah. Was one of just two players to post all four rounds in the 60s. A pair of 67s on the weekend led to his fourth top-10 of the year.

Added a T3 at the Albertsons Boise Open, finishing at 17-under and four back of winner Hunter Haas. The payday pushed his season earnings to $295,784 and kept him securely at No. 7 with six events remaining.

2010: Made 23 starts and had a win, two seconds and a third-place finish among his 15 made Nationwide Tour cuts. Also ended the year T3 in Driving Distance, with an average of 312.9 yards per drive.

In his fourth career start, at the South Georgia Classic, he finished second, one stroke back of winner Ewan Porter, which vaulted him from No. 147 to No. 14.

Three starts later he recorded his second top-10 finish, at the Melwood Prince George's County Open. Was T16 going into the weekend and shot 66-68 to finish T7.

Entered the final round at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open six strokes behind and shot a final-round 64 to take the clubhouse lead. Finished his round 90 minutes before the leaders. His one-stroke advantage held up when Steven Bowditch and Roberto Castro came to the par-5 18th hole at Crestview CC needing birdies to force a playoff. Bowditch double-bogeyed and Castro made par. The victory, worth $103,500, was a career-best and moved him to No. 7 on the money list at the time.

Three weeks after his win in Wichita finished T2 in Utah. Was one of just two players to post all four rounds in the 60s. A pair of 67s on the weekend led to his fourth top-10 of the year.

Added a T3 at the Albertsons Boise Open, finishing at 17-under and four back of winner Hunter Haas. The payday pushed his season earnings to $295,784 and kept him securely at No. 7 with six events remaining.

In March, made his second PGA TOUR cut, with a T24 at the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Playing on a sponsor's exemption, he was in striking distance of third-round leader Kevin Streelman, five strokes back, until a final-round 74 ended his chances.

Late in the season on the Tour de las Americas, he cruised to a six-stroke victory over Andres Romero at the Argentina Open. 2009: Ended his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour at No. 63 on the money list. Made the cut in 10 of 18 starts, with a pair of top-10 finishes. Put his name in the record book when he posted a 7-under 28 in the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am. Carded a 64 on the day and went on to finish T25 in South Carolina. Led or held or a share of the lead in the first three rounds of Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open before carding a 3-over 74 in the final round to finish T4. It was his first career top-10 performance. Posted four sub-par scores to finish T7 at the Utah Championship. Skipped the Albertsons Boise Open and the WNB Golf Classic in September to play in the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup qualifier in his home country of Venezuela. Partnered with Alfredo Adrian and finished second to earn a spot in the 28-team field in China. In Dongguan, China, Venezuela finished T12 at the team event.

He had never played in a Nationwide Tour event prior to 2009.

Turned pro in October 2008 and was the low Monday qualifier for the Valero Texas Open, where he posted four rounds in the 60s and finished T36, his first made PGA TOUR cut. Qualified for the 2003 Shell Houston Open but missed the cut. Amateur: Four-year letterman at the University of Texas. Won the Venezuela National Amateur in 2006. Advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, winning four matches, before falling (4 and 3) to eventual champion Colt Knost.

Knew very little English when he initially arrived in Houston. Picked up the game by playing with a broomstick and a rock. Eventually began playing at a nine-hole course near his home built for oil-camp employees.. His coach, Franci Betancourt, was a a three-time World Cup participant for Venezuela in 1966, 1968 and 1975. In August 2002, moved to Texas and lived with Betancourt and his wife, Alba, a time he saw both his golf game and his English improve dramatically.

His brother Julio plays on the University of Texas golf team.