JORDAN Smith is still coming to terms with a stellar year which has seen his name propelled up alongside the likes of Open champion Henrik Stenson.

The 23 year old, from Derry Hill, wrapped up the 2016 Road to Oman rankings title on the Challenge Tour - the second tier of European golf - with a top-20 finish at the season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Oman last weekend - just eight months after joining the circuit.

With two wins, seven top-ten finishes and more than €200,000 earned in prize money, the Bowood man joins an illustrious list of rankings winners including Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and Ryder Cup stars Edoardo Molinari, Stenson and Thomas Bjørn - as well as earning a prized place on the top-tier European Tour for the 2017 season.

Smith only earned his place on the Challenge Tour by winning the third-tier EuroPro Tour order of merit last year but, having already made huge strides this season, he is confident he can continue to do likewise when he tees up alongside the continent’s finest, starting at Australian PGA Championship in Queensland early next month.

“It’s been the sort of year I dreamed about,’’ said Smith, who was watched by family members and Bowood coach Simon Shanks.

“My aim at the start of the year was to keep my Challenge Tour card, and now I have a European Tour card, so now I can go out and play next year and have fun.”

Smith claimed a win in Egypt at the start of the season in April and a triumph at Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates the week before last set up his chance to top the overall standings.

The former Walker Cup player added: “The second win teed it up really. It was so important to get that win, which allowed me to get the top spot. It was a big moment.

“I was over the moon to finish top of the Order of Merit on the EuroPro Tour last year, and I never would have imagined I would go on to do what I have on the Challenge Tour this season.”

Smith can now contemplate doing battle with some of the game’s most famous names on the European Tour next season and will follow up the Australian tournament with the Hong Kong Open in mid-December.

“The Challenge Tour has definitely prepared me for next season,” he said. “Travelling inside and outside of Europe and living out of a suitcase is something that has taken some getting used to, but I feel ready for next year.

“I’d like to think that I will be able to go out and compete on the European Tour next year, and hopefully win (some events).

“It just needs to be more of the same really. I know I can go out there and compete and I’m looking forward to getting going.’’