Was first introduced to golf by his father, Claudio, who used to caddie at Golf Club Ugolino in Florence, Italy, and now runs a fruit and vegetable shop. Progressed to the Challenge Tour in 2008 via the Alps Tour, where he won three times to guarantee his place in the top five of the Order of Merit. Played on The European Tour for the first time in 2009 after gaining a card at the Qualifying School Final Stage in 2008, where he finished 17th, and was back at the Qualifying School in 2009, this time taking the 31st and final card to again secure his playing rights for the following year. Returned to the Challenge Tour after struggling to make the step up, but the decision proved a shrewd one as he took 17th place in the final Rankings thanks largely to his performance at the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, where he saved his best until last with a nerve-defying back nine of 32. His prospects of securing the top three finish he needed appeared remote after reaching the turn one over par for the tournament, but he surged through the field with three birdies and an eagle to take a share of third place. Continued that fine form in 2011, recording six top tens to finish a career-best 49th in The Race to Dubai, and retained his playing rights again in 2012 by taking 106th spot.