MATT’S JOURNEY FROM ALPS TO CHALLENGE TO EUROPEAN TOUR

August 2011 Finished runnerup at the Czech International – his joint-best finish as an amateur. July 2012 Lost 2&1 in the first round of the English Amateur Championship – to Matt Fitzpatrick. October 2012 Turned pro. December 2012 Finished seventh at the Alps Tour qualifying school to secure his playing rights for 2013. He also took home £100 in “winnings”. January 2016 Started the year ranked 1,173 in the world and without a win in 46 starts on the Alps Tour. February 2016 Ended a four-year wait for a maiden Tour title at the Pyramids Open in Egypt.

June 2016

Made his European Tour debut at the Nordea Masters, finishing in a tie for 53rd. Later that month, he won for a fifth time in a row on the Alps Tour.

October 2016

Took the honours at the Alps Tour Grand Final – his sixth victory of the season – to finish top of the Order of Merit and secure his Challenge Tour card for 2017.

November 2016

Suffered more heartache at the European Tour Q-school where he missed out on the final stage by 14 shots.

March 2017

Couldn’t convert a 54hole lead at the Kenya Open, finishing T3.

May 2017

Led from start to finish at the Portugal Open to win his first-ever European Tour title by three shots. Two weeks later, he qualified for the US Open at Walton Heath.

June 2017

Made his Major debut at Erin Hills, but rounds of 76 and 75 meant he missed the cut by six shots.