Three years after becoming the first Scotsman since Findlay Douglas in 1898 to win the US Amateur Championship, added a first European Tour title to his list of achievements by beating Shiv Kapur of India in a play-off to capture the South African Open Championship in December 2009. Enjoyed his most lucrative season in 2011, finishing 28th in The Race to Dubai, beating his previous best of 47th the season before. Before turning professional, achieved the accolade of becoming the first amateur golfer to be officially ranked World Number One when The R&A released the first official amateur ranking on January 23, 2007. Enjoyed a successful amateur career playing in the 2005 Walker Cup for Great Britain & Ireland, as well as winning numerous Scottish titles. Turned professional in July 2007, making his European Tour debut at the Russian Open in Moscow. Secured a Challenge Tour card for 2008 having played only one third of the season as a professional, and used it to good effect when winning twice en route to graduating to The European Tour at the first time of asking. Away from golf, he has studied at the University of Stirling after spending some time in Texas on a golf scholarship, graduating with a BA Hons in Marketing and Sports Studies. Born and bred in Aberdeen, he has been playing golf since the age of three.