Golfer Eric West signalled his return from back injury by finishing in a three-way tie for 12th at the $70,000 Taurus Abierto de Peru yesterday – the Bermudian's best showing to date on the Tour de las Americas.

The 24-year-old pro carded three birdies and an eagle at the par-five eighth to finish ten shots back of Argentine winner Alan Wagner at three-under-par 285 for the 72-hole tournament.

West's final round score of two-under-par 70 equalled his second round total that enabled him to make the cut and go on to collect $1,400 in prizemoney after a steady showing at the Los Incas Golf Club in Peru.

The Bermudian was three-under for the final round with four holes left to play but dropped two shots before regaining his footing with a birdie at the par-four 18th to finish strongly in trying conditions.

"The course conditions were very tough. The fairways were sparse and the rough was long and grainy. There was a lot of wind in the afternoons and the greens were small and hard. You really needed to be on top of your club selection or you would be chipping a lot," West told The Royal Gazette.

Two of West's three birdies arrived on the front nine where he also drained an eagle to give his round momentum.

"My eagle on eight was pretty cool – probably the best shot I hit all week. I hit a high five wood into the wind which ended up stopping four feet from the hole," he reflected.

"My driving was very good, I kept the ball in play on a very demanding golf course.

"I feel pretty comfortable with my game right now. I am working hard with my coach to improve my weaknesses and each tournament I continue to develop."

West qualified for the Tour de las Americas last March and is also a multiple winner on the Moonlightgolf.com Tour in Florida where he has spent the past few months recovering from a back injury that dashed his hopes of qualifying for the US Open and treatened to derail his season.

"My back is good. I've been doing some strengthening and stretching which seems to have been paying off. I rested a lot this summer which probably relieved a lot of stress," he added.

West has now targeted a return to the Moonlightgolf.com Tour, next month's Bermuda Open as well as PGA Qualifying School and three Candian Tour events towards the end of the year.