The hard work Camiko Smith has put into improving his game appears to be paying dividends.

The 28-year-old professional golfer gave a reminder of his potential earlier this week after advancing from US Open Local Qualifying in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Smith shot a four-over-par 75 in trying conditions at the Point Judith Country Club and then did just enough in a five-man play-off to determine which four players would advance with winner Robert Leopold, who shot 74, to US Open Sectional Qualifying.

The nephew of Kavin Smith, the former top middle distance runner, attributes his success in New England to the hard work he has put into refining his craft lately.

“I have been working really hard on my game over the last few months to get to where I am right now in terms of goals,” he said.

“This [US Open qualification] is a short-term goal I have set for myself while my long term is to earn my PGA Tour card and compete against the best.”

Smith certainly had his work cut out for him at the Judith Country Club layout made all the more challenging due to strong winds, chilly temperatures and slick greens.

“The conditions were tough and the greens alone were playing pretty firm and fast,” Smith said.

“The rough was thick around the greens and with the strong cold breeze made it even tougher. But, being from Bermuda, and growing up playing in windy conditions, I was able to keep it together.

“With cold temperatures and strong winds blowing in off the ocean and with greens in summer-like quick and firm condition, scores were extremely high. Forty-one players did not break 80 on the course that played at 6,600-yards par 71.”

Before the play-off Smith, who finished tied with compatriot Micheal Sims at this year’s Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, had to wait nearly five hours in the clubhouse for the rest of the field to come in after signing off on his scorecard.

“I managed to post a four-over-par 75, which put me alone in second — just one stroke off the leader — whom I played with,” he said. “Being that we were the fourth group to tee off, I had to play the waiting game to see what other scores were being posted.

“After a four and a half-hour wait, there was a five-way tie for second that meant five players would play extra holes to determine the other four spots.

“And this was decided pretty fast on the par four first hole. One player made par while myself and two others made bogey, which earned us the remaining four spots.”

With so much at stake, Smith did well to remain composed heading to extra holes.

“I had a few hours to calm my mind and focus on what had to be done,” he said. “I was a little nervous, though, but was more cold if anything from the weather, which was in the mid to high 50s that day.”

Understandably, Smith’s recent performance has bolstered his confidence and reinforced his belief that he can hold his own at this level.

“It really solidifies that I can compete at a high level,” he said.

“It has definitely heightened my confidence ... but I still have along way to go.”

Smith will resume his bid to qualify for this year’s US Open at Pinehurst at Sectional Qualifying to be held at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland on June 2.

Meanwhile, Smith’s compatriot, Terence Daniels, failed to advance from yesterday’s US Open Local Qualifying at the Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona.

Daniels carded a bogeyed ridelled ten-over-par 81 — that included a double bogey at the 323-yard, par four, 15th — that left him tied for 37th.

Only the top five players advanced to US Open Sectional Qualifying.

Teeing off on the back nine, the local professional’s hopes of advancing were all but over after making the turn at seven over par.

Daniels fared much better coming in, playing the last nine holes at three over par, but the damage already been done.