DALE Whitnell is focusing his attentions on the PGA EuroPro Tour this year.

After coming up short in his attempts to claim a place through qualifying schools for the PGA Tour in America and the Asian Tour in Thailand, the 24-year-old golfer from Tiptree is going back to the drawing board in 2013.

He finished in the leading 60 players and alongside world number one Rory McIlroy at the British Open last year and Whitnell had hopes of progressing on to one of the world’s leading tours this year.

However, things haven’t necessarily gone to plan and the former Walker Cup star realises he will have to focus his attentions at a lower level for now.

He said: “I’m going look to play on the EuroPro Tour where I’ll be looking to secure a top five finish and that will get me a card on the PGA Challenge Tour the following year.

“I’ve been a pro for three years now, but I’ve never played a full season on one circuit, so I’m setting out to play every event possible on the EuroPro to give myself every chance of finishing high up.”

Whitnell finished 20th in last year’s EuroPro Tour order of merit after only playing in nine events, with the first event this year coming at Wensum Valley in Norfolk on May 1 and he is hoping the experience he has gained this winter can help him build in 2013.

He added: “I played OK in Thailand and America, but one round cost me on both occasions and it was disappointing in the end.

“I think sometimes I’ve been trying a bit too hard.

“I don’t mean I’m immature as a golfer, but I do try to push myself.

“I know I can do it because I have shown I can do it, but sometimes I try just a bit too hard rather than letting it happen.

“Even though I’ve been playing OK, my scores haven’t reflected that and I’ve got a bit impatient.

“I have to realise that golf is a frustrating game and I can’t get too down on myself.

“But I’m glad I went to Thailand and America as it was good to experience playing in new areas on different courses and I can take a lot from it with things like course management.”