Topped the Challenge Tour Rankings in 1997 and was tipped by some to become the next Costantino Rocca. However he contracted measles in the summer of 1998 and finished 120th on the Order of Merit but was successful at the Qualifying School. On The 1999 European Tour he made only two cuts in eight starts to finish 207th, while 14 Challenge Tour outings brought just six pay days. However, full time concentration on the Challenge Tour in 2000 brought its reward with seven top ten finishes, although a victory eluded his grasp. Had to return to the Qualifying School in 2001 to secure the 30th card, a success he improved upon four years later at the 2005 School when he finished 12th. The middle one of three brothers. Elder brother, Andrea, is a teaching professional at Villa Carolina near Margara, while younger brother, Stefano, was a regular on the Challenge Tour in 2001.