Rafael Echenique was born on October 18th, 1980 in Argentina. He turned pro in 1999 and has been to Q-School four times in Europe. On each occasion Echenique has failed to earn his European Tour card and so had to play on the Challenge Tour instead.

In his debut season in 2005 a good start soon fell away and he finished 76th on the money list. However better things were to come in 2006. He won the Telia Challenge Waxholm in Sweden playing the final four holes three under par. He ended the season 7th on the money list.