Originally from Portland, Oregon. Took up golf due to father's involvement as an official in the USGA as a director of the junior programme in the state of Oregon. Middle of three brothers, one of whom is a Captain in the US Marine Corps. Sold life insurance in his early twenties but quit when he turned pro at the relatively late age of 26, taking the job as assistant at Eugene Country Club. His wife, Carolina, is Venezuelan, and he won his first tournament there. Caught the eye of the director of the Asian Tour, who suggested he played in Asia, where he has played since 1991, winning the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open in 1993 and again in 1999 as a co-sanctioned event, which earned a two year exemption on the European Tour. Coached by 68 year old amateur, Ron di Zinno, a retired investment broker, at La Quinta Resort, to which he is attached.