Kent golfer Tom Sherreard will draw inspiration from his top 20 finish at the Open Championship in Royal Birkdale.

The 20-year-old, a member at Chart Hills Golf Club, finished tied 19th in his first Open Championship after finishing 14-over-par.

He was the second highest placed amateur, finishing behind Chris Wood who won the silver medal as leading amateur.

Sherreard, from Maidstone, said: "It was a bit of a shame I didn’t win the silver medal as that’s the thing I went for. But if someone had told me I would finish in the top 20, I wouldn’t have believed them."

Sherreard overcame windy and wet conditions to finish with a total score of 294 after shooting rounds of 77, 69, 76 and 72.

The amateur doesn’t plan on turning professional immediately and will continue his psychology degree at Georgia State University.

He said: "I haven’t had any offers yet. I’d like to think that any potential offers would be there in two years."

Sherreard played a practice round with Justin Rose last Tuesday and was delighted to meet his hero.

He said: "I didn’t want to ask him too many questions and I let him get on with it. I just asked him what I wanted to know. He made me feel relaxed."

Sherreard believes his experience at Royal Birkdale has helped him grow as a player and as a person.

"I’ve learnt how to keep cool under pressure and have learnt a few things about myself," he said.

"Now it has all settled down a bit you kind of realise what an achievement it is. My family were happy seeing me get there in the first place.

"After seeing me do so well and getting myself on television they have realised that it could be something I could be doing week in, week out."