JUST weeks into his career as a European Tour professional, Jordan Smith is already laughing all the way to bank.

And the Derry Hill ace reckons keeping a smile on his face has played a key role in a stellar month that has seen him claim two top-10 finishes despite his rookie status on tour.

The 24 year old, who plays out of the Bowood club, finished tied sixth at last weekend’s Qatar Masters in Doha, adding a cool €70,139 to the €71,779 he pocketed following up a third-placed finish at the SA Open in South Africa two weeks earlier.

It leaves Smith in a superb early-season position, well on the way to securing his Tour playing rights for next season while also making a big impact on golf’s upper echelons.

He has looked relaxed in exalted company and reckons his partnership with caddie and good friend Harry Bird is having a positive impact on his progress.

“I’ve enjoyed every week so far on the European Tour,’’ he told the Gazette & Herald “I’m going out and having fun. You have to have fun and a bit of a laugh where you can as you are going around so you are not worrying about things too much.

“It’s great to have a bit of a laugh with my caddie Harry. We’ve know each other for years so we’re enjoying it.’’

Two six-under-par rounds of 66 propelled Smith towards the top of the Qatar leaderboard continuing a run of form the player himself is still sometimes struggles to come to terms with.

“I played really good golf,’’ he added.

“The two 66s were really good especially the second round one where I knew I had to shoot quite low to make the cut.

“It’s a bit surreal when you have got Thomas Bjorn (2018 Europe Ryder Cup captain who Smith played alongside in the opening two rounds) coming up to you saying that you are playing pretty well.

“It (recent results) has kind of put me over the halfway stage towards making sure I keep my card.

“That’s the first goal at the moment and then we can look at trying to get into majors and maybe winning a tournament.’’

Smith was completing his Middle East swing with the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which was getting under way today and included stellar names such as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Masters champion Danny Willett.

The world number 94 added: “I saw it (the Emirates GC course) a few weeks ago and when me and my coach Simon (Shanks, who is based at Bowood) came out to Dubai for some training so hopefully I can put in another good performance this week.’’

Smith will then take a short break before embarking on a globe-trotting February and March schedule to include Australia, South Africa and India.