First picked up a club at the age of four when his brother taught him the grip. By the age of nine he was receiving instruction from the renowned coach Martin Witcher, who included Tony Johnstone and Mark McNulty among his pupils, and at the age of 14 joined his academy at Randpark Golf Club. Finally made his breakthrough on The European Tour with victory in the 2011 Open de España, which he dedicated to the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, who died on the weekend of the tournament. Added a second European Tour win in March 2013 at the Avantha Masters in India. Loves all sport, especially rugby. Played cricket at provincial level as a fast bowler and in his mid-teens had to choose between tennis and golf, opting for the latter on the basis that the scenery was more interesting. Sporting genes run in the family with his mother, father and uncle all competing in various sports at provincial level and a brother was one of the country’s top tennis players. On the golfing front he enjoyed a glittering amateur career and in 2001 was crowned South African Amateur of the Year in recognition of his ten wins and 15 top three finishes. Topped the 2005 Sunshine Tour’s Winter Swing and competed on the Web.com Tour in America in 2007 before earning his European Tour card through the Qualifying School Final Stage the same year.