Began to play golf aged seven over nine hole course in Sarpsborg. Scratch player at 15, represented Norway in Eisenhower Trophy and won two Norwegian Amateur titles. Tried for Tour card six times and succeeded on three occasions. Retained card between 1996 and 1998 but missed 17 out of 23 cuts in 1999 due to a finger injury and was granted a one tournament medical exemption in 2000. Two-time winner on European Challenge Tour.