Strawberry Hill golfer Chris Rodgers might not have been completely satisfied with his British Open debut, but he is hoping it is a platform to bigger and better things.

The 38-year-old shot three over par to finish tied 58th at Hoylake on Sunday hours before Rory McIlroy lifted the title on the 18th green.

Rodgers, who has been a member at Richmond’s Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club since he was seven-years-old, made his bow after winning through qualifying at Sunningdale.

It is not the first time he has rubbed shoulders with the game’s superstars and he has two title triumphs wins on the Asia Tour under his belt.

And he believes it is time he made a name for himself in Europe – and he has a ringing endorsement from US Open champion Martin Kaymer to prove it.

“It was a great experience and it was great to get there at my 20th attempt but if I’m being hard on myself I’m not satisfied,” he said.

“I’ve been a pro for 15 years. I’m not a youngster making my way. to be in the middle of the field going in to the weekend I should have kicked on from there.

“I’ve played with the likes of Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson. It is my job.

“There are lots of positives I can take away and hopefully use this as a platform to build on to get on the European Tour.

“I played with Martin Kaymer for my final round at the Open and he said he thought I was comfortably good enough to play in Europe.

“Qualifying starts in October. It is not a given, but I back myself to get through.”