Made a flying start to his rookie season on The European Tour in 2012 by finishing tied second in the Avantha Masters in February. Had further good performances in the Reale Seguros Open de España and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles to take 81st spot in The Race to Dubai. Also bagged a brand new top of the range BMW thanks to a hole-in-one at the BMW Italian Open. Played on the American collegiate circuit for four and a half years, as an Indiana University student, with no little success. Won the Big Ten "triple crown” in 2008; winning the Big Ten Golfer of the Year, Les Bolstad Award (presented to the Big Ten player with the lowest average) and a Big Ten Championship in 2008, while he also played in the Palmer Cup three times. Won the Spanish Amateur Closed Championship in 2008 and was ranked as Spain’s number one amateur for six separate years. Was fourth going into the final day of the Qualifying School Final in 2010 but shot an 81 in the final round, later saying that it was a blessing in disguise spending a year on the Challenge Tour in 2011, gaining valuable experience and finishing ninth in the Rankings. A huge Real Madrid fan, he lists Seve Ballesteros as a childhood hero.