Encouraged at the age of eight by dad Alex, a retired police constable in Glasgow, he joined Ralston GC. Played amateur golf for Scotland at boy, youth and senior level. In 1999, the year after turning professional, he won the MasterCard Tour Order of Merit and ‘Tartan Tour’ Money List in Scotland before, later that year, going on to become the second successive Scottish winner of the European Tour Qualifying School. Led the 2000 race for the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award until the last month, eventually losing out to Ian Poulter. Passionate Rangers FC fan and holds a season ticket for Ibrox. Winner of two European Tour titles, and four top tens in the space of five events through April and May proved the highlight of his 2009 season. Coached for a time by Bob Torrance before returning to his former coach Ian Rae in 2008.