DORSET'S Lee James boosted his chances of an improved European ranking this season after a top-20 finish in the Portuguese Open at Oitavos on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Parkstone-based professional carded rounds of 73, 71, 70 and 70 for a share of 17th place on a historic day for the European Tour.

James's level-par total was seven shots behind 22-year-old Spaniard Pablo Martin who became the first amateur to win on the main tour.

Martin, who won the British boys title when he was only 15, was unable to pick up the £141,157 first prize.

Former British Amateur champion James, meanwhile, moved up 15 places on the money list to 122nd after winning £11,212.

James's timely move up the order of merit comes just three weeks before the important re-ranking for players who earned their cards from the Challenge Tour and Tour School.

After finishing 16th on the 2006 Challenge Tour, James is ranked behind all 30 of the Tour School graduates.

But with just 14 players currently above him, James is set for a significant move up the list.

"It was important for me to make the cut this week with the reranking so close," admitted James, who was pleased with his all-round performance.

"The windy conditions meant I had to grind out a score.

"Despite two double bogeys during my third round I still managed to shoot under par."

James, who qualified as fourth reserve, is hoping his new status will help him gain entry into the Spanish Open on April 26.

Wimborne's Gary Emerson, meanwhile, finished in a tie for 71st place on 10 over par.