ELLIE GIVENS is ready to go back to the Access Series to further her career, but only out of choice rather than necessity.

The Access Series is effectively the second tier on the Ladies European Tour and provides a stepping stone for upcoming golfers to step on to the main circuit.

Givens does not really need to do that, though, as she is on course to enjoy the best year she has had on Tour so far, sitting 65th on the Order of Merit after making six of her nine cuts after a similarly decent showing in 2014.

Just last weekend the Rockliffe Hall touring pro secured another cheque of just over £3,000 by claiming a top 15 finish at the Pilsen Golf Masters in the Czech Republic in soaring 40 degrees temperatures.

Three consistent rounds of 69-68-69 took her up to seven-under par and to within six shots of eventual winner Hannah Burke. Finishing at the top of the pile in one event soon is on her radar and actually playing more golf instead of enjoying an extended rest is leading her to Sweden.

Givens could have had an extra week off but she will be heading to the Access Series’ Solvesborg Ladies Open hosted by Nick Faldo’s former caddie Fanny Sunesson on Sunday hoping more competitive golf will help to progress further on the main Tour.

“I have played in a couple of these Access Series events this year and finished fifth (in Dinard) and second (in Strasbourg) so I have felt it has been good to play competitively rather than practicising,” said Givens.

“It’s more experience of being in a competition environment and if I can be up there, like I have been in the last couple of events on the Access, then it is helping me cope with the pressure of being in and around the top five.”

It is such finishes she is chasing. Givens knows she must stay in the top 80 to retain her Ladies European Tour card for a further year but that is not what is in her mind after a solid if unspectacular 2015 so far.

“That’s not what I’m thinking about,” said the 26-year-old. “The last time I had to go to Q-School was at the back of 2012 and I feel I have steadily improved since then. I’m hoping this year ends that way too.

“I prefer to look up the Order of Merit because I’m happy with how things are going. It was nice to finish where I did last week in the Czech Republic, and that was a similar finish to when I was tied 13th in Morocco. The more top 15 finishes the better and it’s all about turning those in to top tens, then top fives hopefully.”

Givens has had a short break this week before she flies to Scandinavia, having only returned from the Czech Republic on Monday. As things are moving quite nicely, the Darlington golfer does not want to take much time off.

“I have been doing a lot better,” she said. “I want to keep it going. The things I have been working on have helped me improve. Like the technical things with my swing I have been worked on with my dad (Ralph Givens, Blackwell Grange pro).

“Then it has just been about looking at ways to improve my short game, like attacking the pin at bit more with my chipping and putts. I am looking at how I compare to some of the other girls who are challenging for titles on Tour, and that’s something I have spotted.

“Hopefully it will help me to keep moving up the leaderboards. I have always been a golfer who has improved gradually over time rather than rapidly, and I would like to think that I am heading in the right direction.”

For anyone interested in sponsoring Ellie Givens on the Ladies European Tour contact paul.fraser@nne.co.uk