Callum Shinkwin feels he has learnt a lot about himself and how he conducts himself on the golf course after deciding to bring the curtain down on his first full season on the European Tour after a “great” year.

The Bushey-based professional was entered into this week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, but told the Watford Observer he wanted an early break after deciding not to compete.

The 23-year-old had seen his hopes of reaching the season-ending World Tour Championship effectively end at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open after finishing near the back of the field on eight-over-par and slipping to 81st in the Race to Dubai standings.

Although he opted against playing in Sun City, the Moor Park Golf Club professional tweeted on Monday: “My first full season on the European Tour and a great one at that. Kept my card comfortably for next year.

“Time to hang the clubs up for a couple of weeks and get fit and ready for next year.”

Reflecting on a year during which he played in 24 European Tour events, he said: “What has pleased me the most is that I have kept my job for next year, also I didn't disgrace myself and I competed with the 'big boys'.

“I have learnt that it isn't all about money. It helps but I learnt more about me as a person and how I conduct myself on the course.”

Shinkwin achieved five top-20 performances in 2016, with his best results coming during two weeks in July with back-to-back top-ten finishes at the Open de France and Scottish Open, the latter securing his first major championship appearance at The Open.

His highlight was the share of eighth place at the Scottish Open “when I knew I had kept my card”, followed by his “surprising” Open debut at Royal Troon.

The 2013 English Amateur Champion is due to return to European Tour action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January, but he is sticking with his approach of not setting goals for 2017.

“It seems to work,” he said, “but I would like to compete with the big names again.”