Made a clutch birdie putt on the 72nd hole to get into a three-man playoff at the Northern Trust Open, with Bill Haas and Phil Mickelson, an extra session he lost on the second playoff hole to Haas. Dropped to 2-1 in playoffs on TOUR. Led the field in Strokes Gained - Putting, gaining 9.513 strokes on the field. Joined Haas and Cameron Tringale atop the Total Putts category, with 103 on the week. Also led the field in Putts (Greens in Regulation), at 1.550. Did not record a three-putt all week, a year after three-putting the final hole to miss the cut at the 2011 Northern Trust Open.

Playing in just his second official World Golf Championships event, entered the final round of the Cadillac Championship three strokes behind Bubba Watson. A hot start (including an eagle on No. 1), coupled with Watson's struggles, moved him into the lead at one point, but he stumbled with his finish, going bogey-par-bogey-double bogey on the final four holes to finish T8, with a 3-over 75.

Made 28 starts in 2010 and had five top-10 finishes, ending the season No. 14 on the money list and earning a berth on the PGA TOUR in 2011.

Started his rookie season slowly and did not post a top-10 until his 14th start of the year at the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic in July. Fired a course record, 10-under 61 on Friday at the Georgian Bay Club to head into the weekend three strokes behind leader Kevin Chappell. Weekend rounds of 70-65 gave him sole posession of second place, one stroke back of winner Peter Tomasulo. The second-place check of $86,410 vaulted him from No. 95 to No. 17 on the money list at the time.

Eventually fell to No. 34 on the list before running off a string of four straight top-5 finishes. The first was a T3 at the Albertsons Boise Open, which moved him to No. 22 with six events remaining.

Had another T3 in his next start, the Soboba Golf Classic. Was tied for the first-round lead after a 6-under 65. Moved into sole possession of the 36-hole lead after a 66. Entered the final round two shots out of the lead but finished five back after shooting 71. Earned $58,000, which moved him to 15th on the money list and in very good position to earn his 2011 PGA TOUR card.

Kept his solid play going the next week at the Chattanooga Classic where he posted all four rounds in the 60s to finish T5.

2011: Enjoyed a spectacular rookie year, with two wins, including the PGA Championship. Named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year in December by a vote of his peers.

Finished T7 at the Bob Hope Classic in his second career PGA TOUR start.

Finished T9 at the Valero Texas Open for his second top-10 finish.

Entered the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship four strokes behind tournament-leader Ryan Palmer, but posted a 2-under 68 Sunday to finish regulation tied with Palmer at 3-under 277. Went on to defeat Palmer on the first playoff hole with a par-4 on the 18th hole, becoming the third member of the 2010 Nationwide Tour graduating class to win this season. Winning score of 3-under 277 was the highest in relation to par at the event since Bruce Lietzke's 1-over par score in 1981 and the highest on TOUR in a non-major since David Duval's 3-under winning score at the 1999 PLAYERS Championship. With the victory, he became the TOUR's youngest winner in 2011 and the sixth first-time winner of the season and fourth rookie winner. Moved to No. 20 in the FedExCup standings. For his victory, his caddie (Steven Hale) won a new Cadillac.

Held a share of the second-round lead at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational before finishing T15.

Won the PGA Championship in a three-hole aggregate playoff over Jason Dufner at Atlanta Athletic Club. First rookie to win two tournaments, including a major, since Todd Hamilton won The Honda Classic and the British Open in 2004. Improved to 2-0 in career PGA TOUR playoffs (defeated Ryan Palmer at 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship. First player since Ben Curtis (2003 British Open) to win first start in a major championship. Francis Ouimet (1913 U.S. Open) was the other to win his first major championship start. First player since Shaun Micheel (2003) to win the PGA Championship in his first start at the event. A total of seven players have accomplished the feat—Micheel, Jim Barnes (1916), Tom Creavy (1931), Bob Hamilton (1944), Doug Ford (1955), Bob Tway (1986) and John Daly (1991). Won at the age of 25 years, 2 months, 7 days, joining John Daly (1991), Tiger Woods (1999, 2000) and Martin Kaymer (2010) as the only winners of the event under age 30 since 1990. Is the first player to win a major championship the year after graduating from the Nationwide Tour.

Opened with a 7-under 65 at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai before settling for a T16 in only his second World Golf Championships start.

He picked up an unofficial victory late in the season with partner Brendan Steele at the Franklin Templeton Shootout. The duo was 32-under for the three-day event, winning by three strokes. 2010: Made 28 Nationwide Tour starts and had five top-10 finishes, ending the season No. 14 on the money list and earning a berth on the PGA TOUR in 2011.

Started his rookie season slowly and did not post a top-10 until his 14th start of the year at the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic in July. Fired a course record, 10-under 61 on Friday at the Georgian Bay Club to head into the weekend three strokes behind leader Kevin Chappell. Weekend rounds of 70-65 gave him sole posession of second place, one stroke back of winner Peter Tomasulo. The second-place check of $86,410 vaulted him from No. 95 to No. 17 on the money list at the time.

Eventually fell to No. 34 on the list before running off a string of four straight top-5 finishes. The first was a T3 at the Albertsons Boise Open, which moved him to No. 22 with six events remaining.

Had another T3 in his next start, the Soboba Golf Classic. Was tied for the first-round lead after a 6-under 65. Moved into sole possession of the 36-hole lead after a 66. Entered the final round two shots out of the lead but finished five back after shooting 71. Earned $58,000, which moved him to 15th on the money list and in very good position to earn his 2011 PGA TOUR card.

Kept his solid play going the next week at the Chattanooga Classic where he posted all four rounds in the 60s to finish T5.

Finished T4 in his next start at the Miccosukee Championship. Shot 29 on his front-nine Thursday en route to a 64. Held the 36-hole lead after a 67 in the second round. An even-par weekend led to his fifth top-10 of the season and put him 11th on the money list with two events to go. 2009: Made the cut in two career starts on the Nationwide Tour.

Finished T55 at the South Georgia Classic and T21 at the Miccosukee Championship.

Is the nephew of LPGA great and World Golf Hall of Fame member Pat Bradley.

Turning professional is his biggest thrill in golf. Lists the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series as his biggest thrill outside of golf.

Lists Bethpage State Park's Black Course as his favorite golf course. Would most like to play Augusta National.

Never travels without his rain gear. Favorite professional teams are the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.

Superstitions include always marking his ball with the coin head's up. Favorite TV show is "Seinfeld" and favorite movie is "Goodfellas." Favorite entertainer is Howard Stern. Other favorites include Ben Hogan: An American Life, pizza and Tom Brady. Favorite city is Los Angeles.

Favorite vacation spot is Jackson Hole, WY.

Included in his dream foursome are his dad, Ben Hogan and Brady.

Was an all-state ski racer in his home state of Vermont.