Ford is the son of Maidstone United manager Andy Ford.

Kent golfer Matt Ford registered his best result on the European Challenge Tour by finishing second at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India.

The Bearsted pro carded a final round 70 to finish one shot behind India's Gaganjeet Bhullar at the season opener.

Ford, 32, picked up a cheque for £18,400 and told BBC Radio Kent: "It's my biggest cheque and best performance of my career so I'm very happy.

"To get some nice money up on the board early is the biggest positive."

Last September, Ford tied for second in the Russian Challenge Tour, and finished the 2010 season 59th on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit.

He went into his final round in India six shots off the lead, but ended up just a stroke adrift of Bhullar, who became the first Indian to win on the Challenge Tour.

If I can get my game sharper then I think I should be in good shape this year Matt Ford

"I'd put the thought of winning my first title out of my mind and didn't really realise how close it was until the end," said Ford

"I had quite a few opportunities in the middle of the round but the putts didn't drop."

Ford's preparation for the season opener had not been ideal due to snow in the UK, so coming so close to his maiden Challenge Tour title was a bonus.

"I knew it was what I was capable of," he said.

"But with four or five weeks without any real golf over Christmas I hadn't been able to do anything.

"I went out there without match practice so I was a little bit surprised how sharp my game was.

"It wasn't my best performance in terms of the quality of golf I played, but I got the ball around the course nicely.

"If I can get my game sharper then I think I should be in good shape this year."

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