Jordan Smith is taking inspiration from Robert MacIntyre as he looks to mount a strong finish to the DP World Tour season and earn a PGA TOUR card for next year.
The Englishman is in action at this week’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo – the opening event of the Back 9, which offers increased Race to Dubai points.
A good performance at The Belfry would go a long way in helping the two-time DP World Tour winner's bid to earn status on both Tours.
"That's my main goal this year," Smith said. "A few good results and you never know."
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Scotsman MacIntyre is in the field for the PGA TOUR's season-ending TOUR Championship at East Lake after winning twice in his first full season stateside after capitalising on the pathway.
Smith added: "It's good to see those guys going over there and showing the Americans that us Europeans can do it over there."
Since finishing tied second at the BMW International Open in Germany at the start of July, Smith has missed his last three cuts but he made a good start in his bid to put that recent record right by carding a three-under-par 69 on Thursday.
That left him two shots off the early pace set by France's Jeong weon Ko, and World Number 111 Smith admits he is searching for his best form.
"It's just been an up-and-down season unfortunately which is a bit unlike me," he said.
"It's been some really good stuff, and then getting in my own way on a few things sort of golf-wise. Just a bit up and down. But you could have a terrible week one week and win the next week. You just never know."
Beginning his round off the tenth, Smith recovered from bogeying the 14th to register three consecutive birdies from the 15th, before mixing two birdies with a bogey on his front nine.
Smith is making his eighth appearance at the Betfred British Masters - and fourth in succession at The Belfry and he is impressed with setup of the historic layout.
"It's probably best I've seen it and probably toughest I've seen it for a long time," he said.
"I think this sort of course and the way it's setup, I definitely feel like it suits me.
"Today, my long game was great. Putting was a little bit off but long game sort of held up and that's where I can take advantage of the par 5s and par 4s."
