Parents emigrated from Edinburgh to Australia in 1970. Spent several summers visiting relatives in the UK and playing amateur tournaments as a youngster. Despite background, is unequivocally Australian. Finished 11th in the 1996 European Tour Qualifying School and went on to tie for fourth in Portuguese Open in first season on Tour. Underlined his potential by just losing out to José Maria Olazábal in the Dubai Desert Classic in 1997 before winning the German Open at Sporting Club, Berlin, in 1998 to record his first Tour success. Enjoys a long distance relationship with his coach, Dale Lynch, by e-mailing videos of his swing to Australia for assessment once a week. Struggled with a hip injury during 2000 season but enjoyed several high finishes before going to the United States to win the US Tour Qualifying School with an outstanding 32 under par total of 400.