The 34-year-old put the finishing touches to his Challenge Tour campaign in Italy on Saturday by sharing seventh in the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final.

Doak, a winner on the second-tier circuit earlier this month, had already sealed promotion back to the big time but ensured a strong playing category for 2013 by finishing 10th on the final rankings.

He said: "I'm definitely a better player now and I feel like I can compete.

"During my first year on the European Tour I was a little bit wet behind the ears. It's taken me a few years to get my card back but I have learned a lot in those four years."

Scott Henry is also looking forward to life among the elite after finishing 11th on the final money list but the Clydebank ace knows the hard work is just beginning.

He said: "To be competing against the best players is a very exciting thing. But my putting is one of the things I'm going to have to work on next year as I know I have to get more out of my game."

Meanwhile, Swedish star Peter Hanson has not given up hope of catching Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai.

Hanson pipped the Northern Irishman to the BMW Masters by one shot with a 67 for a 21-under 267 to move to second on the money list.

McIlroy still has a healthy lead on the rankings but he is taking this week off while Hanson tees-up in the WGC HSBC Champions.

Hanson said: "I'm playing some of the best golf ever. I need a good week at the HSBC but I have a chance now."

In Malaysia, Glasgow's Martin Laird tied for 26th on 274 in the CIMB Classic behind American winner Nick Watney, who blasted a sizzling 10-under 61 to win a by a shot on a 22-under 262.

Catriona Matthew claimed fourth in the LPGA Tour's Sunrise Taiwan Championship, five behind Norwegian winner Suzann Pettersen. Scots youngster Carly Booth was 15th in the Ladies European Tour's Suzhou Taihu Open in China.