JORDAN Smith has broken into the world's top 100 after his superb performance at the BMW South African Open at the weekend.

Derry Hill's Smith, in only his third event as a member of the top-tier European Tour and fifth in total, featured in the final group alongside world number two Rory McIlroy and eventual winner Graeme Storm at Glendower GC on Sunday.

The Bowood ace, 24, proved up to the task in such exalted company, carding a final-round 68 to finish third overall and pick up a check for nearly 72,000 Euros.

The result took Smith up 20 places on the official world rankings, breaking him into the world's top 100 at 93rd as he continued his form from the end of last season, when he won twice on the Challenge Tour and was crowned their number one at the end of the campaign.

Only a bogey on the 17th prevented Smith from joining McIlroy and Storm in the play-off in Gauteng and he told europeantour.com: "That was insane. Like nothing I have experienced in my life and I absolutely loved it. I am very pleased.

"I was very, very nervous at the start of the round so to make those (early) putts was a big help and really settled me into the round.

"It was just such an amazing experience, especially coming up the last hole there. Honestly – it was just insane.''

Smith immediately jetted off to Abu Dhabi where he will contest European Tour events there, in Qatar and Dubai over the next three weeks, starting with this week's Abu Dhabi Championship.

"I am absolutely delighted with the week overall,'' he added. "I would have loved to have won but I got myself into contention and looking forward this experience will be invaluable for my future.

"I just can't wait to play in front of crowds like this again. This has exceeded all of my expectations ahead of the week. I knew I was playing well and was confident coming here but I didn't expect to end up in this situation."

READ MORE FROM SMITH ON HIS SOUTH AFRICA PERFORMANCE IN THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD