Windred stormed home with a five-under 67 to finish eight under and a tie for 18th at the Challenge De Cadiz, which finished Sunday.

Both tournaments are being held at the same course.

The 23-year-old was in 39th spot entering the final round and peeled off six birdies to finish a stroke outside the top 10.

"It was good to shoot a decent score and move up the leader board," Windred told the Newcastle Herald.

"I played pretty decent this week. I'm just that one hole away from the top five I am looking for. This is my fifth straight week, and adding travel into that - different hotel room, different bed, different food, different conditions - make it pretty tough to stay at that peak. It is a bit of a mental grind, which I love.

"One round in each tournament has been costing me. I believe it is just a coincidence - a couple of bounces that lead to a lost ball, a few lip-outs when you don't have that momentum.

"The golf courses over here are not easy golf courses and players are still shooting eight under.

"I'm learning a lot and I will definitely be better for it."

Windred's best in four previous Challenge Tour events was tied for 35th in the Irish Challenge and Dormy Open (Finland).

"Leaning to manage the game while playing every week on different golf courses in different countries is definitely the key," he said.

With four guaranteed starts remaining, Windred is 68th on the money list with 6,468 euros.

"I was talking to the CEO of the Challenge Tour and he said if I earn more than 70th place two years ago, I get a full card for the rest of the year. I think it is about 18,000 euros or something. It is just one good week away.

"There is so much depth on the tour, so many great players. You have to play great golf to win, and you have to play really, really good golf to finish top 10. I feel like it is not too far away."

IN THE NEWS:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: