JORDAN Smith’s debut season on the European Challenge Tour gained more momentum at the weekend as the Derry Hill player clinched third place in the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge in Aviemore.

Bowood player Smith, who won the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit last season, has opened up an 11,000-point lead at the top of the Race to Oman standings, with the winner clinching a place on the full European Tour next season.

The 25 year old shot a final round 64 for third place in Scotland, following a maiden victory in Egypt and a tied runner-up spot in the Czech Republic earlier this season and is in action at this week’s Made In Denmark Challenge in Aalborg.