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I started playing golf when I was eight years old. I used to do a lot of motocross, but I stopped because I had a heart condition. That’s when I turned to golf. I was meant to have surgery when I was 18, but I ended up needing emergency surgery at 12 because I was close to passing away. After that, I stopped motocross and carried on with golf.
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When something like this happens to you, it changes how you see life. When I’m playing golf and not playing well, I remind myself, you almost died when you were 12, just enjoy every moment. So I try to enjoy it as much as I can. Golf builds maturity, and I think that’s really important in life.
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I love the competition, and I think it’s one of the toughest sports in the world. That’s what makes me love it so much. I enjoy playing when my heart is racing in front of a crowd. It’s an amazing sensation that’s hard to describe.
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I still do a bit of motocross because I find it helps after playing a lot of tournaments back-to-back, which can be physically and mentally draining. On the bike, I can switch off and think about nothing. It’s similar on the golf course: you have to clear your head and focus only on your game. That’s the connection between the two for me.
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I turned professional at 18 on the Alps Tour, and it was a crazy experience. I played well, enjoyed so many moments, and I think turning pro early was one of the best decisions of my life because I felt ready.
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This year on the HotelPlanner Tour I finished ninth in South Africa at the start of the season, then missed three cuts. I was playing okay, but then came fourth in Al Zorah in the UAE, which gave me a real boost. That UAE Challenge event was a turning point.
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Winning in Ireland was incredible, the best week of my life. My brother was on the bag, he still is now, and will be next year too. I played really well at Killeen Castle. To win, you have to play good golf. I had a few lucky bounces, but I just felt it was my week, and it was.
Patrick Bolger/Getty Images
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I’m near the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings and I’ve secured my DP World Tour card for next season. From what I’ve seen, there isn’t a huge difference between the two tours, although the courses are a bit tougher on the DP World Tour. I’m really excited and I won’t change my approach. The dream would be to win the Road to Mallorca and go into next season fully ready.
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With sport and young athletes, if you feel ready, just go for it. Enjoy your life, enjoy everything, and be kind to everyone because you never know what’s around the corner. If you play a bad round, there will always be another opportunity the next day, so don’t worry.
Main image: Octavio Passos/Getty Images
This article was featured in the October 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine
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