Returned to the Challenge Tour last year for the first time since 2000 after a season of struggle on The European Tour in 2008, and reaped the rewards of a tremendously consistent campaign which yielded three runner-up finishes to take 12th place in the final Rankings. Previously consolidated his place on The European Tour in 2007 having been the joint winner of the 2006 Qualifying School – Final Stage with Brazilian Alexandre Rocha. Was given the honour of Card Number One thanks to a better closing round over the New Course at San Roque. Began as a caddie for his scratch handicap father, Carlos Snr, before going to study finance at the University of Florida, where he played for the college team. Gained a card for the first time through the 1998 Qualifying School and, although he lost it the following year, regained his playing privileges through the Challenge Tour in 2000 and was a fixture on The European Tour for the next five years, going closest to his maiden victory in 2003 when Fredrik Jacobson beat him in a play-off for the Volvo Masters. Coached by Jason Floyd.