RICHARD McEvoy says his terrific third place finish at the Lyoness Open in Austria has given him the confidence to go on and secure his playing rights for next season.

The Thorpe Hall Golf Club player put in his best performance of the season last weekend as he secured his first top three European Tour finish since the South African Open in November 2011.

Rounds of 71 (-1), 69 (-3), 68 (-4) and 69 (-3) saw McEvoy finish 11 under par at Atzenbrugg, just two shots off the winner, China’s Wu Ashun.

And while admitting he was frustrated not to win the event, having bogeyed the last hole, the Leigh-on-Sea golfer says he was pleased at how he held his nerve in the final round to pocket 62, 600 euros and climb to 109th in the season-ending Race to Dubai.

“It was an excellent result and I am very pleased but also a bit gutted it didn’t go my way in the final round,” said McEvoy.

“I have been doing well for a few weeks. I finished tied seventh in Mauritius and I had the confidence to kick on from that in Austria.

“I played some very good golf and hardly put a foot wrong and went through 36 holes without dropping a shot.

“I bogeyed the last and I was trying make birdie to try and win and that is what I was playing for.

“If I had made par I would have got tied second but I wanted the birdie. But overall I was very pleased.

“It gives me so much confidence that when I get there again I can follow it through. I made changes to my swing last year and I feel good now so am looking forward to the next event.”

McEvoy’s result completes a successful three weeks for Thorpe Hall golfers, with Matt Southgate finishing third at the Irish Open last month, securing his tour card for next season in the process.

And McEvoy wants to take advantage of his form in the upcoming BMW International Open in Germany next week.

In the meantime he is enjoying a week at home with his children Ollie, six, and Alex, three, with Ollie and dad Richard celebrating their birthdays this week.

“After seeing my protégé Matt do so well in Ireland it spurred me on,” said McEvoy. “This was my second biggest win and I suppose it is slightly frustrating that the two events I have played well in have been smaller events and the prize pot has been smaller.

“I want to kick on and I have crept inside top 110 which I need to retain my tour card. I try to play my game and not think about money and that mentality has helped me.”

“It was my birthday on Monday and it was a shame I couldn’t bring that trophy home, with Ollie also celebrating his birthday over the weekend. Hopefully that will come in the future.”

Southgate hit a superb final round of 67 to finish tied 19th at the competition, winning 11, 600 euros, and Basildon’s Daniel Brooks pocketed 3,325 euros down in tied 55th.