Player profiles
Bradley Dredge
Two top ten finishes at The Irish Open and SAS Masters were the highlights of 2008. Came within a whisker of adding to his two European Tour titles in 2007 when he lost out to Padraig Harrington in a play-off for the Irish Open, missed out on winning his national Open by a shot in finishing joint second in The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Bradley Dredge
Date of birth: Friday, July 06, 1973
Country: United Kingdom
Turned pro: 1996
Two top ten finishes at The Irish Open and SAS Masters were the highlights of 2008. Came within a whisker of adding to his two European Tour titles in 2007 when he lost out to Padraig Harrington in a play-off for the Irish Open, missed out on winning his national Open by a shot in finishing joint second in The Celtic Manor Wales Open, and lost out by the same margin in the defence of his Omega European Masters title. Also emerged as leading points scorer in the 2007 Seve Trophy. Partnered Stephen Dodd in Wales’ victory in the World Cup in Portugal in 2005, emulating the feat of David Llewellyn and Ian Woosnam in leading Wales to World Cup glory. Prior to turning professional, he was runner-up to Stephen Dundas in The Amateur Championship at Carnoustie in 1992 but gained some consolation with a place in the Walker Cup team of 1993. Twice graduated from the Challenge Tour before establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers on The European Tour.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 70.97 | 60.6 | 289.1 | 67.4 | 28.9 | 1.75 | 54.5 |
| 2009 | 70.63 | 61.8 | 280.8 | 71.3 | 29.9 | 1.76 | 64 |
| 2008 | 71.08 | 61.48 | 284.84 | 72.9 | 30.38 | 1.8 | 58.9/73 |
| 2007 | 71.43 | 63.59 | 283.72 | 69.12 | 29.79 | 1.77 | 53.85/52 |
| 2006 | 70.78 | 59.46 | 290.73 | 69.87 | 29.36 | 1.75 | 58.54/82 |
Sponsors
Damien McGrane
Hard work and dedication finally paid off when he captured his maiden European Tour title with a commanding nine stroke victory in the 2008 Volvo China Open. The win fulfilled a childhood ambition and was the reward for steady progress made with every step on a long journey.
Damien McGrane
Date of birth: Tuesday, April 13, 1971
Country: Ireland
Turned pro: 1991
Hard work and dedication finally paid off when he captured his maiden European Tour title with a commanding nine stroke victory in the 2008 Volvo China Open. The win fulfilled a childhood ambition and was the reward for steady progress made with every step on a long journey. Took up the game at the age of 14 when he was first taken under the wing of Joey Purcell, professional at Portmarnock GC, and then Brendan McGovern, assistant at Headfort GC in Kells. Became professional at Wexford GC before returning to his roots in Kells, Co.Meath and chasing his European Tour dream. Is an honorary member of Headfort Golf Club. Topped the Irish Order of Merit three times prior to the second of his successful Qualifying School visits in 2003 and subsequently made steady progress in the next four seasons on The European Tour before stepping up another level with his victory in 2008. Until his win, one of the highlights of his professional career was playing for Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup Match against the United States at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2000.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 70.99 | 62.3 | 276.1 | 66 | 28.8 | 1.75 | 41.4 |
| 2009 | 71.05 | 59.8 | 279.7 | 67.8 | 29.1 | 1.77 | 48.4 |
| 2008 | 71.44 | 63.42 | 277.29 | 64.72 | 29.01 | 1.78 | 39.73/146 |
Sponsors
Daniel Vancsik
Captured his second European Tour victory in emphatic style when he finished six strokes clear of a strong field in the 2009 BMW Italian Open in Turin. Posted back-to-back top ten finishes in March 2008 to build on his success of the previous year when he celebrated his 50th European Tour event in considerable style with an emphatic seven stroke victory in the Madeira Islands Open BPI.
Daniel Vancsik
Date of birth: 07/01/1977
Country: Argentina
Turned pro: 1997
Captured his second European Tour victory in emphatic style when he finished six strokes clear of a strong field in the 2009 BMW Italian Open in Turin. Posted back-to-back top ten finishes in March 2008 to build on his success of the previous year when he celebrated his 50th European Tour event in considerable style with an emphatic seven stroke victory in the Madeira Islands Open BPI. His maiden victory made him the ninth Argentine to win on The European Tour and followed three wins on the Challenge Tour. His victory at Santo da Serra marked a perfect return to The European Tour having regained his card at the 2006 Qualifying School – Final Stage after a disappointing rookie season that saw him make just ten cuts of the 25 events he played. Had become one of the Challenge Tour’s most consistent South American players since taking up Membership in 2003, winning every season between 2003 and 2005. Took the 2003 Telefonica Centro America Abierto de Guatemala after a sudden-death play-off with his compatriot Juan Abbate and then defended the Abierto Telefonica title the following season. Won his third title, the 2005 Tusker Kenya Open, with a devastating final round 63 and was presented with the Kenya Open trophy by the country’s President, Mwai Kibaki.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 72.86 | 56.8 | 299.9 | 68.3 | 31.2 | 1.83 | 50 |
| 2009 | 72.03 | 56.8 | 301.1 | 67.5 | 30.3 | 1.79 | 40.7 |
| 2008 | 72.26 | 53.56 | 300.22 | 68.15 | 30.79 | 1.82 | 50/92 |
| 2007 | 72.28 | 58.48 | 302.12 | 66.28 | 30.62 | 1.83 | 58.62/87 |
| 2006 | 72.35 | 55.97 | 297.1 | 66.06 | 30.11 | 1.78 | 45.28/53 |
Sponsors
David Lynn
A week after losing a lucky ball marker that had served him for ten years and adopting a new one, he captured his maiden European Tour title in The 2004 KLM Open.
David Lynn
Date of birth: Saturday, October 20, 1973
Country: England
Turned pro: 1995
A week after losing a lucky ball marker that had served him for ten years and adopting a new one, he captured his maiden European Tour title in The 2004 KLM Open, a victory which helped him to a high of 26th on the Order of Merit. Often consulted a series of famous quotations to inspire him but ultimately put his victory down to a different token of luck, an 1891 ‘Queen’s Shilling’ that soldiers were handed when going to war, given to him by his father after losing his Wedgwood China ball-marker the week before going to Holland. Won his card through the Challenge Tour in 1997, but missed eight cuts by just one shot to lose it. Performed strongly in the 1999 Qualifying School. At the second stage at Peralada, he birdied the first extra hole to win a seven man play-off for five places. Celebrated a decade on The European Tour in 2008 with five top ten finishes en route to 35th place on the Order of Merit. A former England amateur international, he won the Greek Amateur Open Championship when he finished eight strokes ahead of David Howell.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 71.46 | 58.9 | 275.9 | 68.6 | 30.3 | 1.82 | 29.8 |
| 2009 | 70.8 | 59.3 | 279.4 | 69.4 | 29.6 | 1.78 | 61.7 |
| 2008 | 70.79 | 53.14 | 280.93 | 67.97 | 29.22 | 1.78 | 52.85/123 |
| 2007 | 71.13 | 60.83 | 275.44 | 69.87 | 29.94 | 1.82 | 46.15/39 |
| 2006 | 71.31 | 54.78 | 278.63 | 63.15 | 28.54 | 1.75 | 60.5/119 |
Sponsors
Garry Houston
Took the familiar caddie route into golf, carrying the bag of his dad, Emlyn, as a seven year old at Flint Golf Club. Mother, Pauline, is a keen player – and according to her son, the most successful golfer in the family as she manages to 'keep winning'.
Garry Houston
Date of birth: Wednesday, May 12, 1971
Country: Wales
Turned pro: 1995
Took the familiar caddie route into golf, carrying the bag of his dad, Emlyn, as a seven year old at Flint Golf Club. Mother, Pauline, is a keen player – and according to her son, the most successful golfer in the family as she manages to 'keep winning'. Enjoyed playing badminton as a youngster and reached a high standard, but decided to focus on golf. Won the Welsh Amateur Open Stroke Play title in 1990 and the Welsh Amateur Championship five years later. Tried five times without success to win card after turning professional in 1995 but broke through at the sixth time of asking, gaining 18th card for 2000. Played a season on Tour before concentrating on the Challenge Tour, where he finished tenth in 2004 – taking the Galeria Kaufhof Pokal Challenge after a four hole sudden-death play-off with England’s Gary Emerson. Looked in danger of losing his exempt status in 2005 but played superbly to tie for fourth in the Omega European Masters, a strong finish which enabled him to end the year in 100th place on the Order of Merit and has consolidated his position since then with two solid seasons.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2009 | 72.09 | 57.2 | 277.6 | 64.2 | 30 | 1.8 | 32.8 |
| 2008 | 72.04 | 66.99 | 272.04 | 66.98 | 30.17 | 1.83 | 40.54/111 |
| 2007 | 71.49 | 65.53 | 275.63 | 65.24 | 29.21 | 1.79 | 57.14/84 |
| 2006 | 71.87 | 68.31 | 269.27 | 65.93 | 29.17 | 1.75 | 54.74/95 |
Sponsors
John Bickerton
Started the game as a caddie for his father, in whose sheet metal business he used to work doing welding on the shop floor. Gained England boy and youth honours as an amateur, but missed out in three attempts at the Qualifying School before graduating from the Challenge Tour in 1994.
John Bickerton
Date of birth: Tuesday, December 23, 1969
Country: United Kingdom
Turned pro: 1994
Started the game as a caddie for his father, in whose sheet metal business he used to work as a welder on the shop floor. Gained England boy and youth honours as an amateur, but missed out in three attempts at the Qualifying School before graduating from the Challenge Tour in 1994. Repeated that in 1998, and since then has been a permanent fixture on The European Tour. After five second place finishes and 287 events, he finally made his breakthrough in October 2005 with victory in the Abama Open de Canarias. Went on to claim his second title in 2006 when he won the Open de France ALSTOM at Le Golf National, a victory which helped him equal his career high Order of Merit finish of 20th. Disproved the theory that lightning does not strike twice – he was hit on two different occasions as an amateur but, remarkably, escaped injury. Struggled in 2007, finishing just outside the top 100 in the Order of Merit, but dramatically returned to winning ways at the start of the 2008 season when he captured the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 72.88 | 76.3 | 266.3 | 68.8 | 30.8 | 1.78 | 45.5 |
| 2009 | 72.32 | 74.3 | 265.7 | 67.3 | 30.2 | 1.79 | 49.4 |
| 2008 | 71.6 | 70.33 | 266.48 | 68.56 | 29.8 | 1.79 | 65.06/83 |
| 2007 | 73.12 | 71.82 | 263.35 | 66.01 | 30.5 | 1.85 | 60/30 |
| 2006 | 71.82 | 70.2 | 270.11 | 68.06 | 29.62 | 1.78 | 56.58/76 |
Sponsors
Jyoti Randhawa
He regularly practices yoga, which played a major role in his recovering from breaking his collarbone in a motorcycle accident in March 2002. He was out of action until August that year but came back all the stronger, going on to become the first Indian to win the Order of Merit title in Asia. His superb season earned him the praise of his peers who voted him the Players’ Player of the Year
Jyoti Randhawa
Date of birth: Thursday, May 04, 1972
Country: India
Turned pro: 1994
Yet to make the breakthrough into the winner’s circle on The European Tour despite no fewer than six top three finishes over the past five years. Produced a fine display in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club by finishing fifth on his way to take 67th position in the Order of Merit. The son of a retired army general, he is also an excellent marksman and enjoys riding horses and motorbikes. He regularly practices yoga, which played a major role in him recovering from breaking his collarbone in a motorcycle accident in March 2002. He was out of action until August that year but came back all the stronger, going on to become the first Indian to win the Order of Merit title in Asia. His superb season earned him the praise of his peers, who voted him the Players’ Player of the Year. Finished second to Thongchai Jaidee in the Malaysian Open in 2005 when an Affiliate Member of The European Tour, a performance which helped him win a full European Tour card for the 2006 season. In 2000, he married celebrated Bollywood actress Tina Singh, the sister of fellow professional Digvijay.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 72.72 | 61.6 | 285.4 | 65.8 | 29.9 | 1.81 | 53.8 |
| 2009 | 71.19 | 60.1 | 289.6 | 70.1 | 30.1 | 1.77 | 46.1 |
| 2008 | 72.11 | 60.56 | 291.08 | 67.23 | 29.77 | 1.78 | 43.3/97 |
| 2007 | 70.36 | 61.23 | 289.44 | 69.96 | 29.43 | 1.75 | 43.66/71 |
| 2006 | 71.33 | 57.36 | 290.13 | 69.78 | 29.83 | 1.79 | 53.21/109 |
Sponsors
Peter Whiteford
Saved his best for last when claiming the biggest win of his career at the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in 2009.
Peter Whiteford
Date of birth: 3rd August, 1980
Country: Scotland
Turned pro: 2002
Saved his best for last when claiming the biggest win of his career at the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in 2009. Went into the week in 15th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings, but ensured he would rejoin The European Tour in emphatic fashion with a play-off victory over Australian Andrew Tampion, and finished fifth. Will attempt to follow his friend David Drysdale in converting his Challenge Tour form onto The European Tour.
In 2007, he produced one of the outstanding individual performances of the Challenge Tour season, shooting a nine under par 63 in horrendous third round conditions en route to his maiden victory at The Dutch Futures. Became the eighth double winner of the 2007 Challenge Tour season by taking the doc Salbe PGA European Challenge a fortnight later to win a place on The European Tour for the first time. Represented Scotland Boys and Youths before turning professional in 2002. Won on the EuroPro Tour and spent four seasons on the Challenge Tour before making his breakthrough. His brother, Stewart, is also a professional and shared a college dormitory with South Africa’s Tim Clark at North Carolina State University.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 71.34 | 59.7 | 290.5 | 67.4 | 29.7 | 1.76 | 43.2 |
Sponsors
Richard Bland
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.
Richard Bland
Date of birth: Saturday, February 03, 1973
Country: England
Turned pro: 1996
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 former 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.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 70.96 | 59.2 | 284.9 | 68.7 | 29.2 | 1.77 | 60.8 |
| 2009 | 71.63 | 60.5 | 286.2 | 66.2 | 29.4 | 1.78 | 67.1 |
| 2008 | 71.96 | 57.49 | 287.43 | 69.74 | 30.64 | 1.81 | 50.88/57 |
| 2007 | 72.4 | 50.34 | 277.46 | 60.45 | 29.05 | 1.77 | 48.89/45 |
| 2006 | 72.04 | 48.95 | 280.43 | 63.11 | 29.08 | 1.76 | 52.1/119 |
Sponsors
Stephen Dodd
Started out by searching for golf balls as an 11 year old at Brynhill Golf Club in Wales, before enjoying a successful amateur career – the highlight being victory in The Amateur Championship in 1989.
Stephen Dodd
Date of birth: Friday, July 15, 1966
Country: Wales
Turned pro: 1990
Started out by searching for golf balls as an 11 year old at Brynhill Golf Club in Wales, before enjoying a successful amateur career – the highlight being victory in The Amateur Championship in 1989. Gave him the opportunity to play in the 1990 Masters Tournament at Augusta National where he partnered Sandy Lyle and Curtis Strange. Enjoyed a superb 2005 season, notching his first and second European Tour victories, playing a part in Great Britain and Ireland’s Seve Trophy success, before partnering Bradley Dredge to victory for Wales in the WGC – Algarve World Cup in Portugal. Continued his love affair with Ireland in 2006 when he added the Smurfit Kappa European Open title at The K Club to his Irish Open victory of the previous season, but struggled to hit the same heights in 2007 and 2008. He is a fan of Nottingham Forest fan, but not of flying.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 71.8 | 65.8 | 274.7 | 63.2 | 28.7 | 1.74 | 53.1 |
| 2009 | 71.22 | 67.5 | 278.7 | 67.6 | 29.3 | 1.76 | 51.7 |
| 2008 | 73.63 | 59.14 | 277.84 | 60.09 | 30.24 | 1.84 | 38.18/55 |
| 2007 | 72.49 | 61.97 | 278.61 | 65.04 | 30.07 | 1.82 | 57.58/33 |
| 2006 | 72.11 | 61.1 | 283.16 | 62.91 | 28.77 | 1.75 | 57.14/77 |
Sponsors
Stephen Gallacher
Exactly 35 years after his uncle, the former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher, won his maiden professional title, Stephen made his long-awaited winning breakthrough at the Home of Golf, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship via a sudden-death play-off against Graeme McDowell.
Stephen Gallacher
Date of birth: November 11, 1974
Country: United Kingdom
Turned pro: 1995
Exactly 35 years after his uncle, the former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher, won his maiden professional title, Stephen made his long-awaited winning breakthrough at the Home of Golf, winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship via a sudden-death play-off against Graeme McDowell. His victory in front of a delighted home crowd finally fulfilled the promise he had shown since joining the professional ranks in 1995. Almost made it a Scottish double in 2008 but left it too little too late as he took sixth place at The Barclays Scottish Open. Won the Scottish Amateur Match Play and Stroke Play Championships to set alongside his Lytham Trophy success. A member of the victorious Walker Cup side at Royal Porthcawl in 1995. Won his card at the first attempt in 1995, but a back injury in the summer of 1996 - sustained after removing his luggage from an airport carousel - meant he did not play from June onwards. Regained his card from the Challenge Tour in 1998, helped by victory in the KB Golf Challenge in the Czech Republic.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 70.72 | 63.6 | 297.4 | 73.8 | 30.5 | 1.8 | 63.6 |
| 2009 | 72.11 | 57 | 292.4 | 75.9 | 32.1 | 1.87 | 52.9 |
| 2008 | 71.21 | 61.92 | 290.02 | 73.11 | 30.95 | 1.83 | 53.19/94 |
| 2007 | 71.41 | 59.31 | 288.56 | 71.11 | 30.83 | 1.84 | 55.41/74 |
| 2006 | 71.64 | 50.41 | 296.14 | 70.29 | 30.74 | 1.83 | 52.75/91 |
Sponsors
Steve Webster
Ten years after winning the Qualifying School, Webster finally made his long awaited victory on The European Tour when he won the 2005 Telecom Italia Open.
Steve Webster
Date of birth: Friday, January 17, 1975
Country: United Kingdom
Turned pro: 1995
Recorded nine top 20 finishes in 2008 after starting with a seventh place at the HSBC Champions Tournament. His best performance of the year came at the scene of his most poignant victories in the Algarve where, in October 2007, when he claimed the inaugural Portugal Masters title. The win was especially moving because he dedicated it to the memory of his beloved mother Val who had passed away five months previously. Having dad Terry in the crowd watching him hole the winning putt made the moment extra special for the Englishman whose previous European Tour success had come in the 2005 Telecom Italia Open, a decade after he won the Qualifying School tournament. Rose to prominence in The 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews, beating Gordon Sherry and Tiger Woods to the Silver Medal given to the leading amateur after finishing tied 24th. Coached mentally by Nick Hastings, technically by Tim Barter.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |
| 2010 | 71.54 | 63.2 | 292.7 | 69.7 | 30.3 | 1.79 | 46.7 |
| 2009 | 71.59 | 61.1 | 286.9 | 72.8 | 30.5 | 1.78 | 47.4 |
| 2008 | 71.54 | 66.53 | 287.55 | 70.71 | 30.16 | 1.81 | 56.1/82 |
| 2007 | 71.18 | 64.74 | 286.12 | 69.88 | 30.66 | 1.83 | 44.44/54 |
| 2006 | 71.39 | 62.33 | 290.08 | 69.83 | 29.88 | 1.79 | 45.56/90 |
Sponsors
Alastair Forsyth
Encouraged at the age of eight by dad Alex, a retired police constable in Glasgow, he joined Ralston GC.
Alastair Forsyth
Date of birth: February 5th, 1976
Country: Scotland
Encouraged at the age of eight by dad Alex, a retired police constable in Glasgow, he joined Ralston GC. Played amateur golf for Scotland at boy, youth and senior level. In 1999, the year after turning professional, he won the MasterCard Tour Order of Merit and ‘Tartan Tour’ Money List in Scotland before, later that year, going on to become the second successive Scottish winner of the European Tour Qualifying School. Led the 2000 race for the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award until the last month, eventually losing out to Ian Poulter. Passionate Rangers FC fan and holds a season ticket for Ibrox. Winner of two European Tour titles, and four top tens in the space of five events through April and May proved the highlight of his 2009 season. Coached for a time by Bob Torrance before returning to his former coach Ian Rae in 2008.
Statistics
| Year | Stroke Av. | Drive Accuracy | Drive Distance | Green in Regulation | Putts/ Round | Putts/ GIR | Sand Saves |