Callum Shinkwin took another step towards his aim of earning his European Tour card after picking up a seventh-place finish in the Madeira Open on Sunday.

The 22-year-old from Bushey finished tied for seventh in Portugal, landing a cheque for €15,480 in the process which earns him another 15,480 points in the European Challenge Tour’s Road to Oman.

In order to secure his place in the 2016 Tour, Shinkwin must finish in the top 45 in the Road to Oman Order of Merit – he is currently 34th.

In doing so the Moor Park golfer will ensure his place at the Grand Final in the Omani capital of Muscat where those who finish in the top 15 will earn their tour card for next season. There will also be a prize pool of €60,000 on offer for top three finishers.

Shinkwin shot a four-under-par 68 in the first round before making back-to-back scores of 70.

He finished six-under in the fourth round for a final 14-under score.

Speaking at the end of last season, Shinkwin stated his intention to secure his Tour card this year.

“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.

“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.”