Grew up in Tamworth, New South Wales. Left Tamworth High School at age 16 to work as a "postie," or mail carrier and spend more time at the golf course. Moved to the U.S. in 1994, where he initially stayed with family friends. For a time, slept in his car parked at Cog Hill G&CC near Chicago.

In October 2009, was one of 30 cyclists to ride 430 miles from Arizona into California in the Ride for Semper Fi in partnership with the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Proceeds went to the organization.