My dream start on the European Tour

Although I had previously played a handful of events on the European Tour, there's no doubt that the tournaments I competed in at the start of the 2006 season felt like the real beginning of the big time. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the likes of the Celtic Manor Wales Open last summer and that kind of experience may have helped me in my efforts at the end of the year.

But to tee it up in China and South Africa with some of the world's biggest names and with a card safely secured for the season just felt different. And best of all, I played well, probably better than I could have hoped if I'm honest. I'm confident about my ability, but it's a big step up in class and to claim two top-10s in four events is highly encouraging. Before the excitement of Fancourt et al, I did of course have the entirely less appealing prospect of Q School to undertake.

I didn't actually have to go to San Roque because I had a conditional card as a result of my exploits on the Challenge Tour throughout 2005. But, after consulting my agent, Mark, I decided it was worth making the trip to Cadiz and going through the gruelling six-round process.

At the end of a long year of travelling and playing, it wasn't exactly what I had my eye on for the first week in December! However, I'm so glad I made that decision. Crucially, I went there relaxed, knowing I already had some playing rights on the tour for 2006. What I wanted to do was improve them it was a much nicer position to be in than almost all of the rest of the field.

I shared a room with James Heath while out there and could visibly see the tension and pressure that goes with trying to claim a card. There's no doubt I was much more relaxed and that helped me go out and played some consistent golf to finish 14th. It gave me greater playing privileges for 2006 and, although I'm not definitely in every tournament on the schedule, there's no doubt that it has made planning my year that bit easier. I do of course hope to get sponsor's invites for the tournaments I'm not already eligibile for, but we shall just have to wait and see in that regard.

Certainly, the start I have made to the season cannot do anything but help tremendously in that respect. Having your name in the headlines and playing alongside the likes of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen has done wonders for my profile. I was even being tipped by Sky Sports pundit and former European Tour player Robert Lee as a youngster to watch out for in 2006! I hope Rob is right.

For now though, I just want to build on my efforts at the end of the year. To kick-off with such a good week in China was massive for me. A 69 and two 68s saw me lead the way gong into the final round and, I can tell you, it was pretty special to tee off last in a European Tour event boasting a quality field. In the end, my closing 72 was not good enough to win and was never likely to in that company to be honest. Full marks to European Ryder Cup star Paul Casey though for his scintillating 65, which won him the title.

I was a little disappointed with my final round but if you'd asked me beforehand if fourth would have been a good result I think you can probably guess what my answer would have been. That finish got me into the Hong Kong Open, which was a bonus. A tired opening 77 did for me, although I was proud of the way I came back to shoot a second-round 66 even if it still wasn't enough for me to make the cut. Then it was onto South Africa, where I undid some good work in the first three rounds with a closing 80 to finish tied for 55th as the home-based players took the championship by storm.

Glorious Fancourt was the last leg of the start to the 2006 season and it was a wonderful experience. After two rounds I was sitting pretty at the top of the pile on eight under. Goosen was five shots behind in second and Els had taken eight strokes more than me over the first two rounds.

It was time to pinch myself. Once again, unfortunately I faded over the weekend, and maybe my long season was starting to catch up with me. No excuses though, those kind of Saturday and Sunday scores do not win events - although to be fair it was more a case of putts not dropping and me failing to get up and down than any waywardness with my long game. To finish in ninth place was no disgrace and certainly those four weeks were incredible learning experiences for me, fulls of highs and lows and, most importantly looking at the long term, a host of priceless lessons. I believe they stand me in good stead for the rest of the 2006 season.