In the qualifying stage, he finished ahead of veterans such as Davis Love III and Jesper Parnevik.

In the U.S. Open played at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, he shot 73-73 to make the cut by 4 strokes.

In 2006, he made the first round of match play at Hazeltine National Golf Club, located in Chaska, Minnesota.

Fathauer finished eight shots behind Harrison Frazar after shooting 70-69-65-67-67-70 for a total score of 408.

Fathauer made his professional PGA Tour debut at the Sony Open in Hawaii on January 15, 2009, where he missed the cut by one stroke after shooting a 73-69=142 (+2).

During the tournament, he also recorded his first ace of his professional career at the 15th hole of Spyglass Hill Golf Course, in Pebble Beach, California.