Out for seven months with a wrist injury last season and come the Made in Denmark tournament this May had fallen to 389th in the world from a career-high 23rd four years ago.
The event reminded everyone of his talent with a one-stroke victory over Robert MacIntyre and on July 7 he earned himself a return to The Open with a joint runner-up finish at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, where three Royal Portrush places were on offer as part of The Open Qualifying Series. Now a five-time winner on the European Tour. His first two victories came in 2012, a five-stroke success at the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea being followed by a three-shot win on home soil at the Lyoness Open.
Added the 2015 French Open, closing rounds of 66 and 65 at Le Golf National taking him three clear of James Morrison, and two years ago he added the Shenzhen International after a play-off with Tommy Fleetwood. Also triumphed on the Asian Tour at the 2013 Indonesian Masters, where he finished one ahead of Ernie Els. Has been a part of successful European sides against Asia in the Royal Trophy in 2013 and EurAsia Cup in 2016.