The Christian name gives away the fact that the Nottingham-born golfer, who played for England in 1990 and 1991, has more than a little Irish blood in his veins. His mother, who hails from Offaly and his father, from Tipperary, are both from the Emerald Isle so the whole family got an especially big kick out of his selection to play on the British and Irish Walker Cup side at Portmarnock, Dublin, in 1991. He turned pro afterwards and earned 18th card at the 1991 Qualifying School, but slipped to 180th in the Order of Merit. Eleventh spot in the Challenge Tour Order of Merit in 1993 meant he missed a return to the full Tour by one place, but he was back after finishing fifth at the 1994 Qualifying School.