Dream foursome includes his brother, Happy Gilmore and Roy McAvoy. Biggest thrill in golf was winning the Dominican Republic Open on PGA Tour Latinoamerica in 2013.

Favorite books are from the Harry Potter series, and his favorite movies are "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Usual Suspects." Favorite athletes are Dwyane Wade and Joe DiMaggio, who was a member at his home course, La Gorce in Miami Beach. Favorite entertainers are Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billy Joel. Favorite sports teams are the the three Miami teams, the Heat, the Dolphins and the Marlins.

If he weren't a golfer he would be Harvey Specter from the TV show "Suits," which is one of his favorite TV shows. Others include "Blacklist" and "Dexter." Best sporting event attended was Game 3 of the 2006 NBA Finals, where Dwyane Wade had a big night to help the Heat get back into the series.

Bucket list includes seeing the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.

His mother, Mayra, is Cuban, and his father, Frank, is American. His Italian last name comes from his great-grandparents, who were natives of Sicily.

Was a 2010 magna cum laude graduate of Rice University. Hobbies include movies and working out.

His golf instructor is Artie McNickle, a PGA TOUR member in the 1970s and early 1980s. Older brother, Frank, was a four-year varsity letter winner in golf at Rice University and is now a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.

Not many people know he speaks Spanish. Favorite quote is: "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it." First-tee walk-up song would be aligned with the Miami Heat, and he would like his song to be whatever the team's entrance song is at the time.

Has had his share of visits to the operating room. While in college underwent ACL surgery on his left knee in December 2008. Had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in November 2011.

Aspirations outside of golf include inventing "a hip and knee replacement made of materials that can support the high impact and twisting that athletes do for all levels of athletes."

Played on the NGA Hooters Tour from 2010-12, Minor League Golf Tour 2010-17 and the West Florida Tour 2015-17.

Played on the varsity high school golf team with his brother as a seventh grader. First-team all-county varsity for his high school team while still in eighth grade.

Was a four-time recipient of the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal given to student-athletes with GPAs of 3.75 or better. Was the 2010 Conference USA Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Selected to the 2008 and 2010 Conference USA All-Academic team. Was a 2008 and 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All District first-team choice.

Was a 2009-10 Golf Coaches Association of America All American Scholar.