Was blighted by wrist and elbow injuries in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and has a medical extension for 2013, having not played at all in 2012. Claimed his third European Tour title in 2008 when he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa – a victory which helped him keep his card for the 2010 season via the two-year exemption. Started the game as a caddie for his father, in whose sheet metal business he used to work as a welder. Missed out in three attempts at the Qualifying School, before graduating from the Challenge Tour in 1994. Repeated that in 1998 and was a permanent fixture on The European Tour for 11 years until his injury problems. Made his breakthrough in 2005 with victory at the Abama Open de Canarias, and went on to claim his second title in 2006, when he won the Alstom Open de France, a victory which helped him equal his career-high position of 20th on the Order of Merit. Disproved the theory that lightning does not strike twice – he was hit on two different occasions as an amateur but, remarkably, escaped injury both times.