His potential was recognised at an early age when the Suffolk Golf Union selected him for their Under-14 team, and one of his early ambitions was realised before his 16th birthday when he became a scratch golfer. He was first selected to play for England at 15 and represented every age group thereafter. In 2007 he achieved the last of his ambitions as an amateur: winning the English Strokeplay Championship (the Brabazon Trophy). Spent a record 16 weeks at number one in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, a feat which cemented his selection for the 2007 Walker Cup Team at Royal County Down. Turned professional in September 2007 after the Walker Cup and secured his first European Tour card after a breakthrough 2011 season in the Challenge Tour, during which he claimed his first professional win at the Acaya Open.