Bearsted's Matt Ford enjoyed a stunning start to the European Challenge Tour by finishing second in the Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India last week.

Ford carded a four-under par 284 to finish one shot behind the winner, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and bank 22,000 euros in prize money.

It puts Ford (pictured) at the top of the Challenge Tour rankings after just one event of the season.

"It was a long way to go for one week so I’m happy," said 32-year-old Ford.

"My main aim is to finish as high as I can (at the end of the season). I’ll just be trying to play good golf all the way through. The top 20 get a card for the European Tour the following year and the higher you get in the top 20, the better the ranking."

After coming to terms with the new course in India, Ford was never out of the top four in the final three rounds and almost forced a play-off, despite starting the final day six shots behind the leader.

He said: "I played pretty well. I struggled a bit on the first day with the speed of the greens. They were a bit inconsistent but improved over the week. The leader had won on the Asian Tour so I knew it would have taken something special to catch him."

The next tournament is not until March in Colombia but Ford is content to have made such a bright start to the season.

"It’s great to get it early doors," added Ford, who is still on the lookout for more sponsors. "I’m normally a slow starter and always seem to have a good end to the season."