Duncan Stewart claimed an emphatic maiden victory on the European Challenge Tour after a fantastic final round at the Challenge de Madrid.
The Scotsman was in sizzling form in the Spanish sun, picking up five birdies on the way to carding a four under par 66 in the last round of the tournament.
The 31 year old, who was given an invite to play in the Challenge Tour event, went on to the 18th hole with a one shot advantage over England’s Ben Stow who was the clubhouse leader on seven under par.
But Stewart held his nerve to hold out for the biggest win of his career on the 2016 Road to Oman, and he was overwhelmed with his achievement at the picturesque Real Club de Golf La Herrería.
“I don’t think it will sink in for a couple of days but it was a massive relief,” said Stewart who finished the tournament on eight under par. “Not having full status this year I was on an invite this week and I can’t thank Bounce sports enough for all their support.
“I was hoping the weather would be the same as yesterday as David Law and I know how to play in the wind so it was right up our street. I just wanted to get off to a good start and I made a birdie on the first both days so that set me up well.
“Then I just played absolutely fantastic – up there with the best I have ever played. I would have been pretty disappointed if I didn’t manage to sneak it over the line.
“I holed a really nice putt on 14 after missing a short one on 13 which got me two in front. I then hit two of the worst shots I had hit all day on 15 so I had to take a recovery and I holed a ten footer for par which was massive. I think if I had missed that it would have changed things a lot.
“I wouldn’t say I didn’t see this coming but I am glad I took my chance to win as you get so few opportunities to win out here.”
Close behind Stewart was Stow who set the pace on day four in the Spanish capital after signing for a four under par 66 to reach seven under par overall.
Overnight leader Pep Angles, who finished tied 19th at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation last month on the European Tour, finished two back from Stewart after carding a one under par 69 – enough for him to be the highest-placed Spaniard in the field.
