Camiko Smith will look to start the new year on a positive note when he tees off at the Latin American Tour qualifier at Sun N’ Lake Golf Club in Sebring, Florida, next week.

The Bermudian golfer intends to use the tournament as a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of competing against the world’s elite on the PGA Tour.

“My long-term goal is to earn my PGA Tour Card,” Smith said. “This is a task that I believe I’m highly capable of achieving.”

The Latin American Tour is one of several lower-tier tours that factor into the Official World Golf Ranking. The top five in the tour’s Order of Merit earn status onto the Web.com Tour, with the money leader being fully exempt to the PGA Tour.

Smith will have his work cut out at next week’s qualifier against a formidable field at the par 72, Don Dyer-designed Deer Run Golf Course.

“I’ve never played the course before, but from what I’ve researched it’s a fairly challenging course,” said Smith, who will get a feel for the course during next Monday’s practice round.

Smith will arrive in Florida in good condition having trained throughout the festive period.

“The holidays didn’t really interfere with my training schedule,” he said. “I figured out a way where I was able to spend time with family, put in a bit of practice and balance my work schedule.

“I’m in good shape, but I realise I can improve, which I noticed while doing a bit of training with my uncle Kavin Smith.”

“My preparation was basically to work on the fundamentals of my swing, grip, posture, tempo and keep my short game sharp.”

Smith’s short-term goals include securing a steady sponsor and a world ranking to enhance his chances of achieving his ambition of reaching the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

He underlined his potential after reaching the second stage of US Open qualifiers in consecutive years in 2014-15.