Starting playing golf at the age of 12 after being encouraged by his parents and credits his father as being his main influence throughout his golfing career, particularly for his support in putting him through college when he took up a golf scholarship at the University of Arkansas. While there, he played against Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Justin Leonard and Jim Furyk. Spent a year as an amateur after returning from America, and was capped by England in the 1995 Home Internationals. His first experience of European Tour golf came in 1995, when he played in The Open Championship at St Andrews, winning the bronze medal at the Home of Golf after making the cut. Coached by Lawrence Farmer at Moor Park. Earned his card for the 2006 season after capturing the 24th card at the Qualifying School – Final Stage but after finishing 170th on the Order of Merit, spent a further two seasons on the Challenge Tour before regaining his card in 11th place at the 2008 Qualifying School – Final Stage. Unfortunately his 2009 campaign was plagued by an injury to his left hip, causing him to miss much of the season and as a result he has a medical exemption for 2010.