Took up golf at the age of 13 thanks to his passion for sport. Lived close to a golf course and started by walking around and hitting the occasional shot. Progressed well and headed for America, to the University of Alabama on a Golf Scholarship. Entered the 2002 Qualifying School as an amateur and won Stage Two at St Cyprien then took the fifth card at the Final - Stage. Finished in the top 30 in consecutive weeks in early 2003, in Singapore and Malaysia, but could not maintain the momentum and finished 197th on the Order of Merit. Played on the Challenge Tour in 2004, finishing 37th on the Rankings, before taking the 19th card at the 2004 Qualifying School, recovering well after an opening 78. Finished 167th on the 2005 Order of Merit and went back to the Challenge Tour in 2006 and 2007, taking the last available European Tour card via last year’s final Rankings and then improving his card at the Qualifying School – Final Stage.