Open, recently-turned professional golfer Duncan Zelkin still plans to test the waters of the PGA mini tour in the New Year.

As early as February, the Riddell's Bay pro has his sights set on the Golden Bear tournament in Florida -- and he may stay in the area for another three months.

"That's what I am looking at right now. I met a couple of the really good players from the US during the Bermuda Open and we talked about what their plans were. It gave me an idea of maybe what road I should look at tournament-wise and this one looks attractive,'' said Zelkin.

He's currently attempting to contact organisers to learn more about the event so he can follow through with registration.

Zelkin was upbeat going into the Open, aiming to shoot 290 or less. As it was he finished on 296, earning a share of 15th place, well behind Bermuda's top finisher Dwayne Pearman on 284.

But the 24-year-old wasn't deterred by his performance and remains confident that he has the ability to hold his own with the pros.

"My score during the Open wasn't too bad. It was just the third day when I got somewhat frustrated towards the end and played the last five holes six over to end up with a 79,'' he recalled.

"That was actually the only real sad part of the whole tournament. I didn't hit the ball that well and I struggled a bit, but I didn't play that badly.'' Zelkin felt that playing with the foreign players and Pearman helped his game.

"Just to watch them closely, see how consistent they were, how their putting put them in position to shoot under par, was really something,'' he said. "I didn't feel that I gave myself that many opportunities, but I did putt pretty well. The problem was that I didn't hit enough greens to give myself the chance to make enough birdies.

"I played with PJ Cowan one day and then with Mike Donald for a couple of days and it was a good experience. Watching them play, you can tell that they don't give up, they just keep going and going.'' Zelkin is now preparing for the Belmont Invitational on November 30 where he hopes to challenge for the lead.

"I know I could have done better at the Open, it's just that the six-over hurt me. But you can't always do what you want to do. I know that I can shoot those lower numbers, it's just a matter of sticking with it,'' he added.

"Hopefully when I get abroad I will get a chance to do a lot more practising to help my game, and the better facilities there could also help me a lot more.''