Was able to shave off the lucky beard he had grown for the 2010 Qualifying School Final Stage when he took the fourth card to earn promotion to The European Tour for the first time, thanks in part to a stunning round of 65 on the final day. Was a late starter, as he only picked up a club for the first time aged 15, when his friend Tom Abbott – now a presenter on the Golf Channel – took up the game. Studied Business and Marketing for four years at the University of North Carolina in America, but chose to find work in a golf centre upon his return, because he did not think he would make the grade as a professional. Eventually turned pro aged 26 and spent four seasons learning his trade on the Challenge Tour. Cites Ben Hogan, whose books he has read religiously, as his golfing inspiration. Launched the “We Back You” website with friends last year, through which golf enthusiasts can sponsor him and bid for lessons and rounds of golf. Regularly writes a blog for the site, an activity he describes as cathartic. His career was almost over before it had begun when he suffered a car crash in 1997. Was hospitalised and had to undergo a skin graft on his nose, but has now fully recovered.