Collected his maiden Challenge Tour victory at the FIRSTPLUS Wales Challenge in May 2005 after a sudden-death play-off with England’s Iain Pyman, having made steady progress over the previous four seasons on the Challenge Tour. The Frenchman, who won the 1998 St Andrews trophy as an Amateur, has improved upon his final Challenge Tour Ranking every year since 2000 when he finished 133rd. Took 98th place in 2001, 69th in 2002, 64th in 2003 and 52nd in 2004. Had double reason to celebrate his victory in Wales as it came just weeks after the birth of his baby son, Alexis. Almost had to give the game up after being struck down by an alien viral infection in 2002, which left side of his body completely disabled but managed to return to the game he loves after three months of uncertainty.