Scott Arnold is confident his fine performance at The Open Championship last week can inspire him to challenge for Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge as the European Challenge Tour returns to France.
The Australian made his Major Championship debut at St Andrews after coming through Final Qualifying, and an impressive final round of 66 saw him finish in a tie for 40th place.
Now the 29 year old is hoping his dream week on the Old Course can spur him on to some strong finishes in the coming events as he seeks to improve hisRoad to Oman Ranking of 79th.
“Last week was a phenomenal experience,” he said. “It was great to play with Paul Casey and David Duval in the last two days and to see how they play and how they work their way around the golf course.
“To play my first Major, and at the Home of Golf too, was just very exciting, and to do as well as I did, especially on the Monday in the final round, was very pleasing.
“My game has been good all year to be honest, it just gets a bit hot and cold with the putter really. The difference at St Andrews between a 73 on Sunday and 66 on Monday was making fewer putts so I know that if my putter gets a bit hotter I’ll be scoring well because my game is in a good place.
I've played on The European Tour and now in my first Major - that's what we all want to be doing regularly
“I’m looking forward to playing in France. I’ve played there a few times before and I know the course well so can hopefully use that to my advantage too. I’m very confident with my game at the moment so I’m sure I can get a good finish this week and climb up the Road to Oman Rankings.
“I feel a bit tired because it takes a lot out of you playing in a Major Championship. I expected it would but was still surprised, just being there is quite overawing but then playing as well is tough.
“But I’m pretty sure I’ll be alright by Thursday and I’ll look to go and shoot a good score in France and see what I can do.”
Arnold came through Qualifying School in 2012 to earn a place on The European Tour for 2013 and is keen to make a swift return now that he has had another taste of the big time.
“The plan is to earn a place on The European Tour for next season,” he said. “I’ve played on there before, and now played in my first Major, and that’s what we all want to be doing regularly.
“I think everyone on the Challenge Tour has that same goal, it’s why we’re here. I need some good results but I’m feeling good after The Open and looking forward to the rest of the season and trying to earn a spot.”
