Completed his 22nd season inside the top 100 in the 2017 Race to Dubai, taking his career earnings to just shy of €10 million in the process.

His second European Tour title came in 2016 when he beat Alex Noren in the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play final, a record 16 years and 204 days after his maiden victory. The Englishman’s wait between titles is the longest in European Tour history, while the 431 events since his first triumph in South Africa surpasses the previous high of 276 set by Christy O’Connor Jnr.

His best year was in 2006, when he recorded three runner-up finishes including in the European Open, which earned him a spot in the 135th Open Championship.

As a 15 year old junior member at Sunningdale, he used to practice with Sir Nick Faldo. Won the prestigious Sunningdale Foursomes as an amateur in 1994 with Steve Webster, now a colleague on the European Tour and a Seve Trophy team-mate in 2009.

Lifelong Queens Park Rangers fan.