Player Profile - Carl Pettersson

Thirty-three year old Carl Pettersson was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. The son of a corporate executive, he spent most of his childhood in the United Kingdom before moving with his family to the United States as a teenager where he finished high school in Greensboro, North Carolina. A budding young talent on the golf course, Pettersson nonetheless completed his education at North Carolina State University before pursuing a career in golf on a full time basis.

In the year 2000, Pettersson made his debut on the world golf scene when he won the European Amateur title. Qualifying for the European Tour in 2001, he played a successful debut year. In 2002, Pettersson achieved his first title win in Europe at the Algarve Open de Portugal. In the same year, he took his place in the US PGA's qualifying school and won his American tour card.

Since 2002, Pettersson's career has been focussed on the US PGA Tour. His first win was at the Chrysler Championship in 2005, followed by the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village in 2006, and the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, his town of residence in the US in 2008. On the 25th of July 2010, the Swede claimed victory in Canada for the first time, winning the Candian Open in a daring charge on the back nine.

Born in Sweden, raised in England and having lived his adult life in the United States, Pettersson is a citizen of the world. Despite this diverse background however, the Swede admits to having a great fondness for the culture, people and cuisine of the Southern States. When not on tour, Pettersson makes himself at home in his adopted home state of North Carolina, a place known for its warm people and homely lifestyle, as well as boasting scenic and challenging golf courses. A colourful and humorous character, Pettersson is known for his competitive spirit and appetite for life. In the past year, Pettersson's weight has been in the spotlight as his attempts to lose weight in 2009 coincided with a lackluster year on the tour.

Having abandoned his diet in 2010, Pettersson weighs in thirty pounds heavier and his game has recovered completely. Admitting a fondness for a few beers after a thirsty round of golf, and a love of his family and friends from North Carolina whom he affectionately calls “rednecks”, Carl Pettersson is a wild card in any tournament he contests, and a much liked and respected player on the US PGA Tour.