WRAG Barn pro Josh Loughrey made a promising start to his professional golf career, finishing 21st at the Open International de Rebetz just north of Paris last weekend.

Loughrey decided to turn pro just last month, the same time as older brother Ben - who plays on the EuroPro Tour, however Josh decided to chase the sun, joining the mroe continental-based Alps Tour and Rebetz was his first tournament.

A top 30 finish is a significant achievment on debut but it was nearly over after the second round for the Wrag Barn pro. Loughrey found himself under pressure on the 18th after bogeys on the 13th and 17th left him needing par on the final hole to make the cut. Fortunately Loughrey held his nerve and actually putted for a birdie before getting his par.

On the final day the 23-year-old shot a one under par 71 to climb the leaderboard and finish tied in 21st.

Speaking to Adver upon his return Loughrey said he enjoyed his first taste of the pro ranks and was looking forward to his next tournament.

“I was absolutely buzzing when I came off the course, it was tight for me to make the cut on the second day. I hit a lot bogeys on the back nine, at 13, and 14, and had to par the last to make the cut,” he said..

“The next day I felt relaxed playing with fellow Englishman, Josh White, we both played well, and I ended up finishing up the leaderboard.

“After seeing the standard it’s pretty high, I need to make some slight improvements but not a lot. Maybe it’s a matter of holing a few putts, I wasn’t too far off the pace, it was quite tightly bunched.

“I really enjoyed it, there were quite a few English guys out there. It was really friendly and well organised, overall I really enjoyed it. We had better weather than my brother had up in Scotland as well.”

The tournament was won Frenchman Matthieu Pavon who finsihed seven under for the tournament to take the £33,000 prize money.

Loughrey will be playing next at the Alps Tour Colli Berici tournament held at the Golf Club Colli Berici near Vicenza from May 15.