As an 11 year old, a friend of his father was invited to dinner and brought his golf clubs. Henrik asked to try them out, and became hooked on the game. Became serious two years later and went on to win the Norwegian Amateur Championship in 1996. Elder brother, Marius, is a scratch golfer and has played for the Norwegian national team. Inspired by David Duval and his Australian coach Jim McGowan, the professional at Drobak, an hour from Oslo. Finished 13th in the 1999 Heineken Classic but had to return to the Tour School that year where he did not get his Card. Made amends at San Roque the following year and continued to show his potential with a consistent 2001 season, finishing tied for fourth in the Open de Argentina and tied for sixth in the Smurfit European Open, performances which helped him attain, what was then his highest ever ranking on the Volvo Order of Merit, 83rd. Got his 2002 season off to a flying start when he finished second behind José Maria Olazábal in the Omega Hong Kong Open, leading to 61st place on the Volvo Order of Merit. Unable to sustain that improvement and slipped 50 places in 2003.