JORDAN Smith admits that last week’s career-defining win is still sinking in as he targets even greater achievements.

Not content with earning a permanent place on the Challenge Tour - the second tier of European golf - next season, courtesy of his EuroPro Tour’s Tour Championship triumph, the 22-year-old from Derry Hill is now eyeing a place on the main European Tour.

Smith, based out of the Bowood club, flew back out to Spain on Tuesday to take part in the second qualifying stage to gain a place alongside the continent’s best players on Europe’s top tour.

“Everything is going in the right direction,” said Smith, who secured a multi-year sponsorship deal with Nike in July.

“It is a gradual progression so I was looking to finish in the top five in the order of merit this year and I have reached that goal.

“It takes the pressure off Q School. Now I can go there and concentrate on trying to get a place on the European Tour for next year. If it all goes to plan I will get a European Tour card and get straight on to there.”

Playing at Spain’s Desert Springs Resort last week, Smith beat Aaron Rai and Daniel Gavins in a play-off after the trio all carded 13-under-par at the end of their three rounds.

Smith was forced to play the 18th three times but a par at the fourth time of asking secured landed the Derry Hill golfer a guaranteed place on the Challenge Tour next season.

“It is still sinking in at the moment,” he added.

“I was nervous being in the play-off but I sort of enjoyed the atmosphere of it all and being in that situation.

“I knew going into the week that I would probably need at least a second, if not a win, so I knew what I needed to do.

“Having a regular place on the Challenge Tour means bigger prize money, better standard of golf and a lot more travelling around the world, which I am looking forward to.”

Smith tees off tomorrow at the Campo de Golf El Saler, in Valencia, knowing he will need a good weekend to secure his place in the final stage of qualifying for the European Tour but is going into the tournament full of confidence given his recent form.

“I can relax a bit more and it means I can go out there and give it my best shot,” he said.

“It is going to be tough. I have done it the last couple of years and not been able to progress.

“I have been playing pretty well the last couple of months and the goal is to finish in the top 15 or 20 to get into the final stage.

“I’m really confident with my game and I saw my coach yesterday and he was over the moon and it is nice seeing everything going in the right direction.

“It has been over and above what I expected this year and it has been a lot of fun.”