WILTSHIRE golfer Jordan Smith hopes a top-five finish in front of a home crowd can be the catalyst for a strong end to the season on the European Tour.

Derry Hill’s Smith shot four rounds in the 60s at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championships to reach a total of 19-under-par and a tie for fifth place. Frenchman Victor Perez took victory on 22-under.

The tournament sees professional players pair with an amateur partner and take on three iconic courses in Scotland – Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and St Andrews – with the cut made before the final round back at the latter.

Smith’s tied fifth finish was his highest since he placed in a tie for third at the BMW International in Germany way back in June and yielded a prize of 136,000 Euros – his largest pay day of the season.

It has also fired the 26-year-old into the top 50 in the Race To Dubai Rankings – a position that will see him qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November should he maintain it.

“I am really pleased with how last week went,” said Smith, who is sitting out this week’s Open de Espana before returning at the Italian Open next week.

“It was nice to get four rounds under par and to get to 19-under overall was awesome.

“Around those courses, with the history they have and everything that goes with it, it was great to compete and finish as high as I did.

“It is nice to break that top 50 in the Race to Dubai rankings.

“I got the year off to a strong start and then dipped over the last couple of months but I am looking to push on from here now.

“I have had two good weeks and the confidence is back, so I am looking forward to the rest of the year.

“There is a Rolex Series event next week in Italy and then big events in France and Portugal before the final three events of the year.

“It will be good to take this form into those last six events.”

Smith’s strong performance in Scotland followed another good showing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the week before.

The Bowood player finished in a tie for 24th place in the second of just two events played on an English course on the Tour this season.

“Last week’s tournament in Scotland is always an awesome event to play and Wentworth was great before that too,” said Smith.

“It was nice to be back home and have a few people down from the golf club supporting, and friends and family around for the whole week too.”