ROBERT DINWIDDIE returns to the European Tour in Madeira this morning buoyed by the third Challenge Tour victory of his career in last week’s Kenya Open, writes SCOTT WILSON.

Barnard Castle-born Dinwiddie lost his European Tour card last year as a mid-season run of five successive missed cuts sent him tumbling down the rankings.

He was demoted to the second- tier Challenge Tour, and started 2010 with a creditable fifth-placed finish in Colombia.

Things improved even further last week as he held off compatriot Oliver Fisher to claim a first-price cheque of more than 30,000 Euros and leap to the top of the Challenge Tour rankings.

This week, with most of Europe’s leading golfers contesting the US Masters in Augusta, he has been invited to compete in the Madeira Islands Open, and having overcome the understandable disappointment of losing his card, the 27-year-old is determined to make the most of his second chance.

“I had a really enjoyable week in Kenya, and it’s been a great start to the season for me,”

said Dinwiddie. “Winning so early in the year took a bit of pressure off and also gave me a lot of confidence, so hopefully I can relax a bit more and enjoy the rest of the season.

“My form’s been pretty good so far, and if I can keep playing the way I am through the rest of the year, I’ll be very happy.”

After struggling through the second half of last season, Dinwiddie spent the winter tinkering with his putting stroke.

The changes have proved worthwhile and the County Durham professional is hoping to make his mark on a brief return to the elite.