Growing up, he worked on his family's fish farm in Santander, Spain, and had to delay turning professional as a golfer because his father wanted him to know the value of hard work and the value of money.

Brother, Alejandro, won the 2002 British Amateur. Caddied at Augusta National for Alejandro at the 2002 Masters.

Father, Gustavo, played golf professionally and represented his native Venezuela in international events.