Enjoyed the finest moment of his career when he won the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, holding off a host of star names including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to triumph by one shot. A third round 66 gave him a share of the lead – alongside Woods – at the start of the final day, and a two under par 70 was enough to seal a glorious victory. The previous September he had ended a long wait for his maiden title, claiming the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi. Had come agonisingly close two years previously, losing a play-off to then amateur Shane Lowry for the Irish Open. Rose to prominence from a Midland PGA Professional and teacher with impressive performances in 2003 at the Benson and Hedges International Open and PGA Championship before fulfilling his dream of playing on The European Tour when, having taken up Affiliate Membership, he finished 116th on the 2003 Order of Merit from his seven invitations to secure his card.