Played 39 times for South Africa as an amateur before turning professional in 1999. Twice a winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, claiming the 2000 Vodacom Series: Eastern Cape and the 2001 Pietersburg Industrelek Classic before securing his place on The European Tour by finishing 14th in his first visit to the European Tour Qualifying School Finals having progressed through Stage One and Two. Started playing golf at the age of ten. A family friend was a professional at a nearby club and took Ryan up one day and he took it up from there. Ryan’s father played provincial level at both rugby and cricket for Eastern Province. Ryan was also a promising cricketer but opted for golf. As an amateur reached the final of the South African Amateur Championship but lost out to Jean Hugo.