Andy Smith admitted that his Open Championship adventure seemed "like a dream" when he returned to work as a landscape gardener on Tuesday.

Just days earlier, the 26-year-old from Loose had stood at the same first tee as some of golf’s greats at Royal St George’s ahead of two rounds which saw him miss the cut – but change his life forever.

Smith has spent the last few days seeking treatment for a left forearm injury sustained at Sandwich and said: "I have previously suffered with compartment syndrome, which is like shin splints in your forearm. This feels a bit different to that, but I had gone from playing hardly any golf to hitting hundreds of balls a day.

"I am hoping to see a physiotherapist on Friday to find out where I can go from here."

Despite the dream prospect of taking part in US Tour Qualifying at the end of this year, thanks to his chance Open meeting with 2007 Masters runner-up Rory Sabbatini, who has offered financial help, Smith said: "I was back at work gardening on Tuesday. I have to, I need the extra money, but it did feel like the Open was a bit of a dream.

"I am desperate to get back into playing golf. I will do whatever I can to make that happen."

He revealed that, injury-permitting, he was keen to return to action as soon as possible, with a tournament in Belgium a possibility next month.

He said: "I know a few people on the Alps Tour and they have said I should go out and try that.

"I want to play another tournament, playing at the Open has given me the bug back. The confidence I got from the experience – you can’t buy that."