JORDAN Smith admitted he was delighted to have delivered on his undoubted potential after securing a return trip to the US PGA Championship next year.

Smith's tied ninth place in the final major championship of this year at Quail Hollow in North Carolina ensured he will return for the 100th edition of the tournament at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri next summer.

Yet that is unlikely to be the Derry Hill man's next taste of major championship golf after a superb showing in Charlotte saw him finish as the top British player in the field, ahead of the likes of Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood.

The Bowood player is up to 81 in the world following his performance at Quail Hollow and maiden European Tour victory at the Porsche European Open in Germany two weeks ago, leaving the strong possibility that he could push for places at next year's Masters, US Open and Open Championship should he continue his rapid rate of improvement.

Smith delivered a magnificent conclusion to a superb major championship debut as he carded his best round of the week on the final day at Quail Hollow yesterday.

The 24-year-old shot a Sunday 68 roar up the leaderboard, ending the tournament at one under par and $250,000 better off.

Smith, who played alongside Open Championship Matt Kuchar on Sunday, said: "I'm really, really happy with the way I played today.

"It was a bit of a shame about the last (his only bogey of the day) but overall I'm just really chuffed with myself with the whole week.

"I'm still pinching myself. I've had some really good groups, enjoyed the whole experience and ended up playing some really good golf so I'm happy."

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