WILTSHIRE’S Jordan Smith believes his next European Tour win is just around the corner after the 26-year-old finished in a tie for third at last week’s BMW International.

Smith’s last win came in 2017 at the Porsche European Open and he held high hopes of doubling his European Tour wins tally as he led going into the final round on 13 under.

However, a final round of 72 saw Smith end the tournament two shots behind eventual winner Adrea Pavan at the Golfclub München Eichenried.

The Derry Hill man only made five bogeys all weekend, yet three of them came on Sunday as Smith watched Matthew Fitzpatrick and Pavan battle it out via a play-off to be crowned champion.

But despite struggling on the greens during his fourth round, Smith insisted there were plenty of positives to take from his sixth top-15 finish in his last eight appearances.

Smith said: “All I’ve got is positives to take away from last week.

“I didn’t really have my A-game on all week, so to come away with a tie for third, I was really happy with that.

“I just need to do a bit more work and it will come – once I’ve got my A-game back, then that win should be around the corner.

“My putter went cold – I didn’t really hole many putts at all, the birdies and a few for par.

“I drove it lovely off the tee on Sunday, like I did all week – I struggled a little bit with my irons too – but I just didn’t really hole the putts that I needed to unfortunately.”

“The two bogeys were a bit of a killer, especially on 16 where it was a drivable par four. Everyone was making birdies, but unfortunately I made bogey.

“I was struggling with my irons a bit too yesterday. I didn’t have my A-game, but I was happy with the week overall.”

Smith will take a week off from playing competitively to practice and make sure he is the best possible shape to qualify for this year’s Open championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.

The 26-year-old has targeted a top-10 finish at either the Irish Open or the Scottish Open in order to be handed a qualifying spot for the main event in mid-July.

Smith believes his game is in really good shape ahead of the 148th Open Championship and is targeting a tournament victory in the not-too-distant future.

He said: “I’m really happy with where my game is at this year and the start that I’ve got off to.

“It’s been a lot better than last year, that’s for sure.

“The work that I’ve been putting in with my coaches and team has been paying off, and hopefully if I can carry it on and keep knocking on the door, then that win will be just around the corner for me.”