Finished a career-best 38th in The 2011 Race to Dubai thanks to seven top ten finishes, including tied third in the Omega European Masters. Also made his debut in the Vivendi Seve Trophy in September, 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. Claimed victory on the Challenge Tour in 2007 at the Abierto Telefonica de Guatemala. Followed that triumph with six top four finishes before ending the season in style at the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, where a second place finish ensured he would end the year in fourth place on the Rankings to return to The European Tour after two frustrating seasons. Re-asserted his place on the Tour in subsequent three seasons, finishing 89th, 59th and 46th respectively. 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. Underlined his potential by gaining his Tour card, finishing 96th on the 2001 Order of Merit, and also taking second place on the Challenge Tour Rankings after wins in the Russian Open and the Telia Grand Prix in Sweden.