Liphook’s Sam Hutsby has spoken of his delight at returning to contention in the professional ranks.

The 25-year-old has found form recently, and he produced some superb golf to finish second in the latest Challenge Tour event, in Slovakia.

Hutsby is fighting to regain a European Tour card, having fallen off the main circuit in 2012.

His most recent result is a big step in the right direction, moving him into 11th in the order of merit, with the top 15 at the end of the year securing a place on the elite Tour for 2015.

“It was just nice to have those good feelings of coming down the back nine and it’s just been a really enjoyable week,” said Hutsby, who will now hope his struggles are well and truly behind him.

He will look to maintain his good form when he returns to action in Moscow next week, at the Russian Open.