Finally broke his European Tour duck in June 2012 with a four shot victory in the Irish Open at Royal Portrush, signing off in style with a final round 66. The victory instilled in him a new level of confidence and in January 2013 he won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, holding off Justin Rose and Thorbjørn Olesen to win by one stroke. Progressed from the Challenge Tour in 2001 via second place in the Rankings and enjoyed a promising rookie season, keeping his card in 90th place. Was back on the Challenge Tour in 2007, however, but captured the Abierto Telefonica de Guatemala and the season-ending Grand Final to return via fourth place in the Rankings. Capped his amateur career in 2000 with second place in the Brabazon and St Andrews Links Trophies and helped Great Britain and Ireland to second spot in the Eisenhower Trophy. Showed an affinity for the team format in the professional arena too, making his Vivendi Seve Trophy debut in 2011 and helping Great Britain and Ireland to victory over Continental Europe. Comes from a sporting family as younger brother Alex plays football and father Jim is a single-figure handicapper in golf.