AN UPBEAT Kevin Spurgeon is confident he can retain his place on the European Seniors Tour despite suffering his "worst ever season".

The Ferndown touring professional, who tees off in tomorrow's Seniors Masters at Woburn, has five more events to secure a top-40 finish on the money list.

"This is easily the worst ever season I've had on Tour," admitted Spurgeon, who is currently in 48th place on the Order of Merit.

"In the past I've always been able to secure a few top-10 finishes, but nothing has happened for me this time round.

"I lost a bit of confidence when I missed out in a play-off for a place in the British Seniors Open last month.

"But I feel my game is in much better shape after a fairly good showing in the PGA Seniors at the weekend on a difficult Slaley Hall course.

"My target is a top-30 place so that I would be guaranteed a place in next year's Seniors Open, but my first priority has to be avoiding a return trip to the Tour School."

Spurgeon finished joint 34th on 16 over par at Slaley Hall - 14 shots behind winner Gordon J Brand who beat his namesake Gordon Brand Junior at the sixth play-off hole.

"It was by far the toughest test I've had in my four years on Tour," said Spurgeon. "The course was wet and set over 7,000 yards with difficult pin positions."