As an amateur Charl had a very strong junior career in his home country of South Africa. During this early stage of his career, Charl achieved three wins in the 2002 India Amateur Open Championship, Brazban Trophy and Transvaal Amateur Championship.

However, it wasn’t until after these amateur successes that Charl burst onto the golfing scene when he turned professional at the tender age of 18. Following in the footsteps of many other South African golfers he qualified for the European Tour less than a year later, making Charl the second youngest South African, behind Dale Hayes, to do so. Other achievements since turning pro include consecutive wins on the European Tour in 2007 and 2008.