2011: After numerous top-10 finishes, he finally broke through and won for the first time since 2008, capturing a five-hole playoff at the BMW International Open over fellow countryman Sergio Garcia. Made a par on the fifth extra hole after Garcia three-putted.

Was fourth at the Saab Wales Open in early June, a month after a third-place finish at the Open de Espana.

Also added a 10th-place showing at the Volvo China Open, shooting a final-round 64 to move up the leaderboard.

First top-five of the season came at the Avantha Masters in New Delhi, India. Was tied for the runner-up position heading into the final round before a Sunday 72 ended any hopes he had of winning, eventually finishing T5, four strokes behind winner S.S.P. Chowrasia.

Came close to picking up his second European Tour win of the season, falling in a five-man playoff at the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland. Joined Thomas Bjorn, the playoff's eventual winner, George Coetzee, Bernd Wiesberger and Mark Foster. He dropped out after the second playoff hole, with Bjorn winning on the fifth extra hole.

Concluded his season with a T10 at the Dubai World Championship. 2010: Lone top 10 came at the BMW International Open in Munich. He shot a final-round 68 to finish T3, two strokes behind winnner David Horsey. 2009: Lone European Tour top-10 came at the UBS Hong Kong Open (played in November 2008), where he T4. 2008: His stellar season ended with him winnng the Henry Cotton Award as the European Tour's Rookie of the Year. Picked up his first European Tour win with a dominant performance at the Open de France Alstom. Earned a spot in the field by making his way through a 36-hole qualifier. Opened with a 65-70 at Le Golf National in Paris to hold a share of the lead with David Lynn. Owned a three-stroke lead over Soren Hansen and Colin Montgomerie at the 54-hole mark, shot a final-round 67 and defeated Montgomerie by four strokes.

Used only 129 strokes on the weekend (62-67) at the Madrid Masters to finish solo third, four strokes behind Charl Schwartzel.

Growing up, he worked on his family's fish farm in Santander, Spain, and had to delay turning professional as a golfer because his father wanted him to know the value of hard work and the value of money.

Brother, Alejandro, won the 2002 British Amateur. Caddied at Augusta National for Alejandro at the 2002 Masters.