Cheam golf professional Ross McGowan could be on course for a place in this year's Ryder Cup team if he can keep up a sparkling start to his European Tour career.

The 25-year-old tied for sixth alongside world number four, South African Ernie Els, at the Indian Masters in Dehli on Sunday.

The Banstead Downs Golf Club member carded a three-under-par 285 to finish six shots behind home winner SSP Chowrasia.

McGowan earned his card for last season with some impressive results on the second-tier Challenger Tour, having turned pro after winning the English Amateur title in August 2006.

He won the Estoril Challenge de Portugal in July and followed that with second-place finishes at tournaments in Kazakhstan, France and Switzerland.

He is well on the way to retaining his card for next season with two top-10 finishes - including last weekend - and three in the top 20 earning him a European ranking of 25, with earnings so far of 136,652 euros (£101,780).

It is an impressive record when compared to compatriot Justin Rose, who claimed the European Order of Merit last season. When he made his professional bow, he missed his first 21 cuts.

Banstead Downs committee member Graham McKenzie, a friend of McGowan's for more than 10 years, believes the former Epsom College student has what it takes to go to the very top.

"He has got such a good head on his shoulders for someone his age. He was the only guy from our club who was going to make it," he said.

"He was a very talented amateur and clearly has that extra something you need to succeed in this game.

"It may seem unlikely but, the way he is going, he could easily make the Ryder Cup.

"That would be huge for this club.

"A lot of us here have single-figure handicaps but he makes us look like hackers when he comes down.

"He can tear this course up when he wants to."