Alejandro Canizares

Fully exempt into the 2012 Open Championship by shooting 68-66 in International final qualifying at Sunningdale.
Burst onto The European Tour in style, winning the 2006 Imperial Collection Russian Open on his third start as an Affiliate Member. At the time was the quickest Affiliate Member to win, beating Sergio Garcia, with whom coincidentally he shares a birthday, and Graeme McDowell, who each won on their fourth outing. Also became the third father/son combination to win in European Tour history, following Antonio and Ignacio Garrido and Craig and Kevin Stadler. Came fifth at the Qualifying School Final Stage to earn his card for the 2010 season and made the most of it by collecting five top ten finishes to take 38th spot in The Race to Dubai. Comes from one of the most prominent golfing families in Spain â?? father José Maria played in four Ryder Cup Teams (1981, 83, 85, 89) and won the World Cup with José Rivero in 1984, while brother Gabriel plays on the Challenge Tour. Highlights of his amateur career came during his time at Arizona State University in America where he was NCAA champion in 2003, earned All American honours four times and was involved in three winning Palmer Cup teams. Tried to compete in both Europe and America in 2008 after successfully graduating through the US PGA Tour School and while he kept his European Tour card with the help of two top tens, he missed out in America