Callum Shinkwin has set his sights on earning a European Tour card in 2015 and believes his experiences on the Challenge Tour have helped him become a better golfer.

The 21-year-old only turned professional a year ago and embarked on his first Challenge Tour campaign this year.

After initially struggling – something he blames on a problem with his swing – Shinkwin sealed a number of impressive results, including a second-place finish at the Challenge de Catalunya in April.

The Bushey golfer ended in 34th place on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit – only the top 15 were guaranteed a European Tour card – and earned €59,347 in prize money.

He went on to compete in qualifying school for the 2015 European Tour last month but failed to make the cut for the final two rounds.

Shinkwin describes his first year on the Challenge Tour as hard work but is already focusing on next year’s campaign.

“I am not sure I could say the Challenge Tour was enjoyable,” he explained. “It was very hard work and there was a lot of travelling. I like driving but I had to fly to most places and I get very bored doing that.

“My aim at the start of the year was to get that European Tour card which sadly I did not manage to do.

“That is my target for 2015, no doubt. I think I have improved as the year has gone on. I started poorly but ended playing good golf. Hopefully I can continue that in January.”

For the first time in several months, Shinkwin has had some time off to relax away from the course, although he admits it won’t be long before he is back practicing at Moor Park Golf Club.

“It has been nice to have some free time and catch up with the family,” he said.

“I am free until the start of next year but I need to keep in shape. I can’t just stop and do nothing because I will get bored.

“I have been doing work in the gym and I will play a few rounds with my friends, as well as going down the driving range, to keep ticking over.

“I am hoping to get into a European Tour competition in Abu Dhabi at the start of next year. That will be important for me because I did not play that much in the lead up to this year’s Challenge Tour and I think that cost me a little bit.

“I hope to have a good 2015 and for that to happen I want to get my European Tour card.”