Barham has never won on the European tour

Kent golfer Benn Barham has admitted he is feeling the pressure as he fights to keep his place on the European Tour.

The 33-year-old, from Ashford, is currently 129th in the European Tour Race To Dubai, with only the top 115 guaranteed cards for next year.

He heads to Australia next week for his last chance to qualify automatically.

"There's so much pressure because it's not just one tournament, it's effectively the whole of next season at stake," Barham told BBC Radio Kent.

"The pressure has been mounting over the last few weeks, that's for sure."

The prize money would mean I need to finish in the top five, and that's what I've got to aim for Benn Barham

Kent's top professional looked as if he might seal his card at the Castello Masters in Spain, but despite three good rounds, he finished tied for 25th place.

"I think I was 10th or 12th as the round developed and then just dropped a couple of shots towards the end of the round which dropped me down to 25th.

"On one hand I was pleased because I had to go there and perform, which I did to a certain extent, but on the other hand it was disappointing to finish 25th. "

Barham now needs to finish in the top five at the JBWere Masters at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, to avoid going back to tour school.

"Tiger Woods is playing, Adam Scott, some of the world's greatest players are playing," said Barham.

"But the prize money would mean I need to finish in the top five I think, and that's what I've got to aim for.

"It's nice to know I've got to go there, I've got a job to do, and I've got to finish top five.

"The pressure's on but in the job I do that's part of it."

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