Glory at last as Wilson pulls off shock win at St Andrews

Wilson must have thought his chances of glory had gone as a loss of form had seen him lose his Eurpean Tour card at the end of 2012, and he started last week outside the top 100 on The Challenge Tour and 792nd in the world.

Wilson (34) had so often been the bridesmaid though clearly had the talent, representing Europe at the 2008 Ryder Cup and a nine-time runner-up on The European Tour between 2006 and 2009, reaching the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking in the process.

Few would have given him a prayer at St Andrews, where he needed an invitation to compete, but he finished ahead of a chasing pack which included World No.1 Rory McIlroy to win by one stroke on 17 under par and pocket almost £500,000.

“So many people had written me off and that hurt, but I kept believing,” he said.

“A lot of people had a part in this and I can’t thank them enough. This is pretty special.

“I could be drunk for a while - it’s been a long time coming and I have a lot of champagne on hold. It’s going to be a good party.

“I don’t have words for it. It’s been 10 years, 11 years coming. There were nine runners-up and I hadn’t done a whole lot to lose those, but nothing had really gone my way and this week, to be given a big opportunity by Dunhill to play – I can’t thank them enough to give me an opportunity to do this – I guess it’s what golf’s all about.”

He added: “Before I went out today I thought about how I’ve never gone out and won a tournament. I’ve played all right coming down the stretch and not lost it and other guys have just got over the line ahead of me and today I was just trying to be patient.

“I made a great save at 14 and the shot I hit into 16 was probably the best shot of my life. 17 was hard work and, at the last, Tommy had putted well and I thought he was going to make that.

“I’ve been playing pretty well. Robert Rock – I went to see him two weeks ago and I shot a course record in Kazakhstan. He’s worked with me all week, spent a lot of time with me, helped me a lot with my swing and given me the confidence to go and play.”

Wilson began the final day with a three shot lead after taking command of the tournament with a 64 at Carnoustie on Thursday before pulling clear with Saturday’s 65 at St Andrews.

Returning to The Old Course for the final round, Wilson was soon caught by Louis Oosthuizen when he three-putted the fourth for bogey.

He had to wait until the 10th for his first birdie of the day, by which time Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and McIlroy were all battling for the title.

A second birdie from 10 feet at the 11th kept Wilson flying high, regaining his lead on the 16th after long-time leader Ramsay bogeyed on the 16th and 17th, Wilson salvaging par on the 17th with a great pitch.

A missed birdie putt at the last hole gave Fleetwood a chance to force a play-off, but when he missed from six feet Wilson’s 70 and 17 under total was enough to claim the title.

Fleetwood, McIlroy and Ramsay finished tied for second on 16 under.

The victory now gives him a two year exemption on the European Tour and his day to remember was complete when wife Lauren surprised him by flying up and hugging him at the end in a moment of high emotion.