Banstead’s Ross McGowan has revealed tinkering with his swing and a change of caddie is behind a run of results that could yet land him a spot at the multi-million pound season ending Dubai World Championships.

The 27-year-old closed out in sixth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Monday - his third top ten finish of the year - to pocket £103,000 and move up 20 places to 45th in the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings.

A top 60 finish in mid-November will land him the chance to battle it out for a share of £4.7million in the Middle East, which will represent a great return in only his second season on the full Tour.

McGowan has six tournaments left to secure his place at the top table, having recovered from a string of missed cuts and the failure to qualify for the British and US Open championships this summer.

He finished third at the European Masters - three shots behind winner Alexander Noren - last month, his best finish since a tied-second place at the Johnnie Walker Classic in February.

And the Banstead Downs Gold Club member concedes the return to form has been a long-time coming.

“I’m happy with my game at the moment, having come through of a string of pretty average results,” he said.

“I’ve had to keep working hard. I’ve changed a couple of things with my swing and I’ve changed my caddie. It seems to be paying dividends.

“I’ve been more relaxed and made sure I’ve had shorter breaks from playing. If you have anything longer than two or three weeks it is difficult to get your rhythm back.

“Getting to the World Championship is a very big incentive and a huge opportunity. If I can pick up two or three decent results over the next two months there is no reason why I can’t stay in that top 60.”

McGowan, who is at the Madrid Masters this week, made five top ten finishes and missed 11 cuts in his first season on the European Tour last year, that saw him finish 70th in Order of Merit with prize money of £392,000.

But it is the three top six results that have powered him up the rankings this season.

“I haven’t had as many top tens this year, but my two best results have been big ones for me which is why I’m, in such a good position,” he added.

“It was going to be difficult to follow up the success of last year, but I have to admit it is nice to see my game is showing some tangible improvement."

The Tale of two seasons:

Best three results in 2008.

5th - Alfred Dunhill Championship - £37,700.

6th - Methorios Capital Italian Open - £54,300.

Tied 6th - The KLM Open - £53,500.

Tournaments played: 29.

Total prize money: £392,000.

Ranking: 70.

Best three results (so far) in 2009.

Tied 2nd - Johnnie Walker Classic - £147,000.

3rd - European Open - £114,000.

6th - Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - £103,000.

Tournaments played: 26.

Total prize money: £505,000.

Current ranking: 45.