Produced a magnificent performance when it mattered, taking a share of fifth place in the 2012 Apulia San Domenico Grand Final to leap into the top 20 of the Challenge Tour Rankings. Was 23rd heading into the season's final event, but moved up to 15th place and grabbed a European Tour card for 2013. Described it as an emotional moment having had to deal with problems in his personal life during the previous two years, and also dedicated the performance to his mother, who was battling cancer. Had five other top tens in a consistent 2012. Until then had spent his career playing in his native South Africa and America, before deciding to go to the European Tour Qualifying School in 2011, where he earned a full Challenge Tour category for the following season.