MARTIN Sell feels his case for a berth amongst golf’s elite is strengthening despite missing out on a European Tour card at Q School.

The Wrag Barn pro went into Thursday’s final round at Catalunya Golf Resort in Girona, Spain well-placed on four-under-par, but a final round of four-over saw him finish in a tie for 42nd, well outside the top-25 spot he required.

However, the 33-year-old believes he can take confidence from being in a position to attack heading into the sixth and final round, in a field that included the likes of household names Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty - both of whom failed to qualify.

“I’m a little bit disappointed about it but once I look back and reflect in a day or so I ‘ll see it’s a really good achievement,” said Sell.

“I was playing good most of the week, it was just a bit of a shame I didn’t play particularly well on the last day.

“I know my game is good enough to compete at the highest standard and to produce it for most of the tournament was good, when I needed to step up.

“I know how good my game is and it’s nice to know I can mix it with those people. I’ve always been fairly confident and now I feel like I sort of belong on that kind of stage.

“In previous years I’d look around and think certain players were special and look up to them, but now I believe I belong amongst them.”

Sell plans to take some time off competitive golf for Christmas but he will return in the new year with a busy 12 months ahead of him.

The Wiltshireman is to make the step up to the Challenge Tour, which takes in tournaments all over the world including India and Kenya, with the reward for those who finish in the top 20 in the order of merit being a place on the European Tour.

“I’ll be playing a full schedule which is an exciting prospect,” said Sell.

“Consistency will show over the course of the year and it’s good it works that way as oppposed to over the course of a few days (as in Spain this week), which then affects all of the following season.

“But it’s been a really good year for me and I’ve certainly taken a lot of confidence out of it. I’m really looking forward to next year now.”