Casey Jarvis said his brilliant Open Championship debut was further indication of his progress on the global stage as he sealed his career-best Major Championship performance.
The South African won back-to-back DP World Tour titles on his home continent earlier this season, with the second of those triumphs in his national Open sealing spots at the Masters and The 154th Open.
While he missed the cut at Augusta National in April, Jarvis safely progressed through to the weekend at Royal Birkdale.
After a two-under-par 68 in the third round, Jarvis closed out his week in style with a bogey-free 66 that saw him finish tied sixth.
Through his top ten finish, he is set for a return to The Open at St Andrews next year.
"I didn't expect to be in this position competing against the best players in the world," said a reflective Jarvis of his transformative 2026.
"I didn't see myself coming top ten in The Open, hopefully. I think the last seven months have been a little bit of a blur, winning twice in Kenya and my home open.
"But, you've got to go on the confidence, and I think that's what I've done, and I've taken advantage of that."
Javis began the year outside the top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but began the week at 82nd and is set to work his way towards his career high of 69th first achieved after a runner-up finish at the Joburg Open in March.
Asked whether his performance this week provided the belief he belongs among the very elite of the game, he added: "100 percent. All the guys at the top of the leaderboard were my role models growing up with Scottie, Rory and a few other guys.
"I've been looking up to them, seeing how their game is, and to see my name on the leaderboard amongst the best players in the world, it truly means the world to me."
On Sunday, Jarvis made birdies at the third, fifth, 11th and in front of the fans packed in the 18th grandstand, celebrating with a fist pump.
With family members watching on throughout the day, the 22-year-old was left to reflect with pride about how he handled the occassion.
"It was a lot of fun out there," he said.
"I mentioned having fun yesterday in an interview and that's what I did today.
"It was amazing with the crowds and had the whole family out. Yeah, it was truly special.
"Played some unreal golf and just kept it pretty tight."
