Secured his place in The 2012 Race to Dubai in dramatic fashion after a stunning performance on the final day of the 2011 Qualifying School Final Stage. Had started the day in a tie for 66th place on one under par, but fired a joint best-of-the-day round of 65 to climb inside the qualifying mark on eight under par and take the 24th card. That completed a remarkable rise, having successfully negotiated all three stages of the Qualifying School after turning professional in July 2011. Received a congratulatory message from Rory McIlroy, with whom he has formed a close friendship since the pair first met aged nine at the Junior Publix event at Doral in Miami, America, where McIlroy won the age 10-11 division and Pinckney finished second. Two years later in 2000, McIlroy spent three months staying at the Pinckney family home in Utah and playing golf, and the two have remained in contact ever since. Made his Major debut at the US Open Championship, which McIlroy won by eight shots. Like Paul Casey and Phil Mickelson, he attended Arizona State University, winning the 107th Trans-Mississippi Championship in his final year. Finished in the top ten in 12 of his 40 appearances on the collegiate circuit, including a career-high five times in 2010/11.