Son of golf professional, Roberto, who has played on the European Seniors Tour. Roberto is a professional in Rome and Marco began swinging a club at the age of two. His father is still his coach and such has been his son’s progress that he played for Italy at boys and senior level. He turned professional in November 1998 and was soon celebrating with the Italian PGA Championship. Won the BMW Russian Open in 2000 to claim the 15th and last card on the Challenge Tour, but finished 159th on the Order of Merit the following year. Spent a further three years on the Challenge Tour without success but finally regained his card in 36th place in the Qualifying School Finals.