David Higgins

Golf has always been a key element in the Higgins family. Father Liam is professional at Waterville and now plays the European Seniors Tour, while mother Noreen runs the club shop. His uncle Ted is the professional at Faithlegg in County Waterford, and brother Brian is a professional at Waterville who helps David with his game. Started at the age of 12 with a handicap of 27 and got down to scratch at 17. Enjoyed a successful Amateur career, representing Ireland at boys and senior level and won the Irish Amateur Championship and South of Ireland Championship in 1994 â?? beating Padraig Harrington in both finals. Turned professional that year but didn't get his card until 1995.
Higgins earned £67,000 in his rookie season on the European Tour in 1996 to finish just inside the top 100 on the Order of Merit. In 1997 he broke his left wrist and right elbow in a horse riding accident. On his return, he failed to imediately rediscover his form and dropped down to the second tier Challenge Tour in 1999.
In 2000 Higgins won three times on the Challenge Tour, and finished 2nd on the end of season Rankings, to graduate back to the European Tour for the following season. He failed to make an impact at the highest level and returned to the Challenge Tour in 2005. He again found success, finishing 12th on the rankings to earn another shot at the European Tour, but he was unable to maintain that form, again losing his card at the end of 2007.