Son of a Parisian doctor and born into a true sporting family.

His father was a first class hockey and tennis player, his mother played First Division volleyball in France and his grandfather was a professional cyclist.

Became the first Frenchman to play on the US PGA Tour in 1994.

Won the 1998 Cannes Open, becoming the first winner on home soil since Jean Garaialde took the French Open in 1969.

Won his sixth European Tour title at the 2011 Alstom Open de France, but the joy of victory was tempered by the fact he broke his leg jumping into a greenside lake in celebration. Missed two months of golf - and The 140th Open Championship – but still finished 45th in The Race to Dubai.

Holds the record for most European Tour victories by a Frenchman.

Captured his fifth win in the 2009 Open de España, a victory he dedicated to Spain’s most famous golfer, Seve Ballesteros. The win helped him to a 28th place finish in The Race to Dubai, his highest since 2004, and continued his resurgence from 2008 when he won the MAPFRE Open de Andalucía by Valle Romano.

In 2002, came agonisingly close to becoming the first Frenchman to win The Open Championship since Arnaud Massy in 1907. Shot 66 in the final round at Muirfield to tie with Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington and Ernie Els. After again tying with Els in the initial four hole play-off, he lost to the South African in sudden-death.

Made his Ryder Cup debut in 2004.

Won his maiden over-50s title at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters, a year after making his Staysure Tour debut at the same event.

Won back-to-back events on the Legends Tour in 2021, winning the Legends Open de France and Scottish Senior Open.