The former England amateur international from Portishead near Bristol won the Charles Church Challenge Tour Championship at Bowood Golf and Country Club, not far from his home and in front of his jubilant supporters. A week later he finished joint second in the Galeria Kaufhof Pokal Challenge in Germany to lock up his place on The European Tour. Took encouragement from his close friend, Nick Dougherty, who called him in Germany saying: “I want you here (on Tour) with me. Go and get your card.” This he did by finishing eighth on the Rankings. Entered the US PGA Tour Qualifying School and surpassed all expectations by winning his card to play in the United States after tieing for 11th place. Only the second player, after Richard Coughlan, to win full privileges on both Tours in his rookie season. Will rejoin The European Tour in 2009 after graduating from the Challenge Tour thanks largely to his tied second finish at the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, which he led after the third day following a stunning round of 61.