PROFESSIONAL golfer Oliver Farr believes that he has the ability to compete on the sport's biggest stage.

The Withington based star who is celebrating his 30th birthday this weekend has already started his 2018 campaign on the European Tour with some creditable performances and he feels that more is to come.

Farr who is attached to Burghill Golf Club, where he provides advice and runs golf clinics to its younger members, was promoted back from the European Challenge Tour last season after a successful campaign.

He played one year at the same level in 2015 before being moved back down.

Despite the season only just beginning Farr has already made his impact finishing 39th in the Qatar Masters and making the final cut in five of the eight events.

"I have got a lot to look forward to this year playing against the best players, on some great courses and of course for more money," said Farr.

"It's nice to be back where I feel my game should be. I have played okay so far this season but there has been no fireworks yet. The standard is a lot higher as you have to play really well to be there competing.

"I feel I'm playing close to where I need to be as you need to perform at quite a high level but I'm not quite on it."

There are 180 members of the European Tour with the top 110 keeping their selection for the following year.

Household names such as Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose also compete in the European Tour to prepare themselves for the major competitions.

"If I have a good week then I might get the chance to play with those guys at the weekend," added Farr.

"I want to be up there too in the next few years as I feel I'm not yet at my peak and age has matured my game. If I put my head down I could be playing in the Majors or the Ryder Cup.

"The top 100 in the world get selected for those events and I'm currently in the low 300s, but I'm not miles away as four or five good results would see my ranking points shoot up."

The European Tour is currently taking a short break before resuming in Spain and then Morocco in April.