Comes from a golfing family with his father, Jaime, and uncle, Fernando, playing at Club de Campo in Madrid. Indeed his father’s six brothers are all golfers and Alvaro’s three brothers also play at club level. Coached by Jason Floyd in Madrid. Represented Spain in the Eisenhower Trophy in the same team as Sergio Garcia, Ivo Giner and José Manual Lara. Studied law as a 19 year old but quit three years in to the five year course to concentrate on golf. Enjoys racket sports and volleyball but has not played the latter since damaging his ribs in a game on the beach in Cuba which forced him to withdraw from the Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2000. Graduated from the Qualifying School in both 2001 and 2002.