Became first Dutchman to win Amateur Championship at Muirfield in 1990 and the first to win on the European Tour exactly ten years later. Came close in 1999 when beaten by Warren Bennett in a play-off for the Scottish PGA Championship, then landed the 2000 Qatar Masters in style. First Dutch winner of an official tournament in Europe since 1947, when Joop Ruhl won the Dutch Open. Played with idol Jack Nicklaus in 1990 Open Championship. Quit law studies at Leiden University to turn pro.

First amateur to qualify into the Qualifying School under the rule that a player may keep his amateur status to play in the pre-qualifiers. Made initial progress in South Africa, after winning the Tour School there. An accomplished cook, he chalked up four wins in two seasons on Challenge Tour back in Europe and made debut in 1994 Heineken Open Catalonia after borrowing air fare from his mother. Made only seven cuts from 21 starts in 2000, but made capital from Qatar (first) and Murphy's Irish Open (third).