"A solid 2009 campaign, after graduating from the 2008 Challenge Tour, highlighted by three top tens and a consistent end by making the cut in his final six appearances, ensured he finished 112th in The Race to Dubai to keep his card. Bounced back from a disappointing 2007 season by regaining his card through the Qualifying School – Final Stage. A year earlier he completed a personal highlight when he produced his best finish on the Order of Merit – 72nd – one place higher than his previous best finish of 73rd in 2002, when he ran Nick Dougherty close for The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. Has qualified on three occasions for The European Tour through the Challenge Tour, in 2001, 2004, and 2008, the first of those after victory in the season-ending Grand Final, where he finished joint runner-up in 2008. Lives in Southampton where he is a close friend of former Saints soccer star Matthew Le Tissier, who has caddied for him on several occasions. Coached by Sky Sports commentator, Tim Barter."
European tour website www.europeantour.com
Q. what is the best part of playing golf on tour?
A. The best part is that, everyday, I do what I love which is playing golf. I also get to play some of the best courses in the world and against some of the best players.
Q. What is the worst part?
A. The travelling and the jet lag, we play tournaments in all corners of the world, and with that comes being away from your friends and family a lot.
Q. What have been your highlights to date? and low lights?
A. Highlights have to be the play off for the 2002 Irish Open. Sadly I lost in the playoff to Soren Hansen, and in this years Avantha Masters in India I really thought I was going to get my first tour win. On this occasion I came up 2 shots adrift. The experience in India was also one of the low points with not winning. I have also lost my tour card a couple of times, which is never nice.
Q. What's the best golf course you have played on tour?
A. The best course in Europe has to be Loch Lomond, it's just a beautiful place to play golf. I played the 2008 US Open at Bethpage Black which is awesome but it was also just brutal. It was tough, no let up on any hole.
Q. Who is the best player you have played with?
A. The best player I've played with is Ernie Els, he shot 64 that day and made it look so easy.
Q. Do you set yourself short medium and long term goals, and if yes what are they?
A. Short term goals are always to try and win my next event. My medium term goal is to make the "Race to Dubai" which is the end of season event for the top 60 money earners during the year. Long term, I just want to try to keep improving each year and see where that takes me.
Q. What would be your dream 4 ball?
A. My dream four- ball would be Tiger Woods, Ronnie O'Sullivan & Jack Bauer (if he plays).
Q. Do you have any advice to young player's hoping to make it as a tour pro about coaching?
A. My advice would be to get your self a golf coach who you trust and stay with him, even when times are hard. Don't get too many opinions on your swing, getting many opinions on your swing is easy trap to fall into on tour.
Q. Do players on tour get over coached?
A. I think players do get over coached and I have fallen into that on more than a few occasions . Getting coached while warming up on a Thursday morning before teeing off is not good in my eyes. I don't see my coach at events now unless I'm really struggling.
Q. Are you a fan of golf fitness?. Golfers seem to be more athletic nowadays. Maybe because courses are longer?
A. I have been into golf fitness in the past but I always felt that it effected my game and I played my worst, so now, not really. I think it helps some players and some it doesn't.
Q.Are you a fan of sports psychology? if so whats it done for you?
A. I am a fan of the mental side. I work with Jamil Qureshi(www.jamilqureshi.com) He has really helped me with my thinking on the course and how I see myself in the golfing world, and to think more like a winner.
Q. What's your normal schedule at a tour event.. how much practice time, practice rounds on the course?
A. My normal week would be to fly early Tuesday morning to the tournament. Arrive at the course and fuel my self with a lunch. I would then warm up by hitting a few balls. I would then go and play 18 holes. I am normally pretty tired by Tuesday night. Wednesdays are light practise days. I tend to practise around 90 minutes on each part of my golf game, so 90 minutes putting, 90 minutes chipping/bunkers and then 90 minutes hitting balls. Then I am all ready for Thursday.
Q. Do you look at your tour statistics, and does this help you plan your practices?
A. I do look at my stats but some more than others. My stroke average more than anything, then I guess my putting and short game stats. These are the one's that lower the stroke average. I don't pay too much attention to driving stats.
Q. Who are your friends and practice round partners on tour?
A. I hang around a lot with Sam Little, Robert Rock, Jamie Donaldson and Anthony Wall. Most of my practise rounds will be with those guys too.
Q. Any funny stories from tour you want to share?
A. Funny stories? I guess one, I played with David Lynn a couple of years ago and we were both sponsered by Taylormade so both of us had Taylormade tour bags. David was having a bad day and on one hole he got an unlucky bounce and then finished the hole by 3 putting. So he decided to stand on the side of the green and take all his frustrations out on his golf bag. So he kicked it all the way to the next tee. On the next tee he discovered it was my bag he was kicking. His golf bag was still sat on the side of the putting green where his caddy had left it. We both saw the funny side.
Q. How much has equipment technology changed the game?
A. I think technology as helped a huge amount. The ball more than anything. The Taylormade Penta ball I use flies so straight and wind doesn't effect the flight anywhere as much as older balls. Plus it's also designed to give maximum spin & control around the greens.Basically with the change in ball I hit it further and have no problem controlling shots around the greens. Having technology like trackman has also helped get equipment better fitted for us. I wonder sometimes how much further they can push the limits.
Q. What's in your bag?
A. At the moment I carry a Taylormade Super Tri driver, Diamana blue stiff 63 grammes, Callaway Squareway 3 wood, Diamana stiff blue 83 grammes, Taylormade 5 wood Rifle steel 6.5, Taylormade tp R9 irons 3-pw KB tour steel shafts stiff flex, Titleist Vokey wedges 54 & 60 degree's and a Taylormade Daytona putter.
