BASINGSTOKE golfer Stuart Archibald remains determined to succeed as a professional, despite enduring a tough start to the season.

The 29-year-old missed the cut by four shots at his latest event, the Kerry London Championship, which took place at Burhill Golf Club, in Surrey, last week.

Archibald made par at 30 of the 36 holes he played, but could only muster a single birdie, with two rounds of 74 (+2) resulting in him failing to qualify for the final day.

It has been a slow start to 2014 for the Worting man, who has played on the final day in just one of his four EuroPro Tour events so far this season.

However, having overcome a back injury that plagued him for several seasons, Archibald feels his game is in good shape.

“It’s frustrating,” he said. “I am fit and healthy and swinging the best I ever have, but I cannot put everything together.

“I just can’t put myself in contention. I struggle a bit in the first round, and then I am playing catch-up.

“At Burhill, I hit some good shots and felt I was hitting my putts well, but nothing went in. I have a new putter and hopefully I can make sure I make a few more putts at the next event.”

That next event is The FTC Invitational at The Astbury, which gets under way in Shropshire next Wednesday.

Later this month, he will travel to The Buckinghamshire to take part in regional qualifying for The Open.

Archibald, who will turn 30 later this month, admits that there have been times when he has contemplated giving up on his dream, but for the moment at least, he is desperate to keep playing.

“I am still determined,” he said. “This is what I want to do for a living, but I am in a vicious circle at the moment.

“I know that I am good enough. I have proved that in the past, but the reason I was playing well in 2010 and 2011was because I had sponsorship to take me through the whole season.

“This year, there is more pressure. I knew I could play the first few events but now I am starting to wonder where the money is going to come from.”

Archibald has already secured sponsorship from Chineham-based marketing and lead generation company The Legend Alliance, but that money is fast running out and he is on the lookout for other opportunities.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Archibald should contact him via email at stuartarchibald golf@hotmail.co.uk.