Enjoyed an excellent first season on tour after coming through the 2004 Qualifying School at San Roque, taking the tenth card on offer. Best performance was a share of second place in the Telecom Italia Open in May 2005 which helped him finish the year in 60th place on the Order of Merit. Was involved in the running for The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year alongside Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Peter Gustafsson before the honour eventually went to the Spaniard. 2006 saw Richard achieve two top five finishes in the The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Madeira Island Open with an eventual 113th place on the Order of Merit. Was inspired to take up the game seriously be the epic Masters victories of Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and, in particular, Sandy Lyle’s success at Augusta National. Represented England at Amateur level for five years from 1999, winning the Spanish Amateur in 2000 and becoming English Amateur Champion in 2002, before turning professional in 2003. Something of a sports all rounder who plays football, cricket, tennis, basketball and badminton. Richard's maiden European Tour victory came in the 2008 Michael Hill New Zealand Open which he won in fine style with a three shot winning margin. Richard followed up with his second European Tour victory in the 2008 Irish Open after falling in the river after playing his third shot to the 18th green!