He credits fellow Australian Greg Norman as his inspiration.

Lonard turned professional in 1989 and began his career on the PGA Tour of Australasia and played the European Tour in 1991 and 1992, where he had very moderate results. He was sidelined for nearly 18 months in 1993-94 after contracting Ross River Fever, a mosquito-carried virus which caused damage to his eyes and worked as a club professional for three years before returning to top the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in 1996/97. He returned to the European Tour in 1997 and has performed steadily since with a best Order of Merit placing of 18th in 2002. He has not won in Europe, but has done so regularly in Australia.

Lonard joined the U.S. based PGA Tour in 2002 and settled in well, winning over $1 million in his first season. He has also maintained his membership of the European Tour. His first win on in the U.S. came at the 2005 MCI Heritage. He has featured in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Lonard was a member of the International Team at the Presidents Cup in 2003 and 2005.

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