Oliver Wilson wins first European title at Dunhill Links

Oliver Wilson held on to his overnight lead at St Andrews to win his first title

World number 792 Oliver Wilson held on to win his first European title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The Englishman, making his 228th start, finished ahead of a chasing pack which included world number one Rory McIlroy to win by one stroke on 17 under par.

Wilson played in the 2008 Ryder Cup but lost his European Tour card in 2012 and needed an invite to play at St Andrews.

"So many people had written me off and that hurt, but I kept believing," said Wilson, 34, who wins almost £500,000.

"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."

His compatriot and playing partner Tommy Fleetwood had a chance to send the tournament into a play-off but missed a 10ft putt for birdie on 18 to hand the emotional Wilson victory and a two-year European Tour exemption.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy and Scotland's Richie Ramsay finished on 16 under par alongside Fleetwood.

Wilson, who was ranked 104th on the second-tier Challenge Tour before his win with earnings this season of around £10,000, dropped just one shot in his final round of 70.

"I don't have the words for it," he added. "It's been 10-11 years coming, and nine runner-up finishes where nothing really went my way. To have the invite to play here, I can't thank people enough.

"When I came here at the start of the week I was just trying to make the cut and each day my confidence grew.

"I didn't play as well today but I finished second a few years ago and knew what to to and I was pleased how I stood up to hit some really good shots.

"I've been playing pretty well but I went to see Rob Rock two weeks and spent a lot of time working with him on my swing, and he gave me confidence to go and play."

Wilson, who splits his time between his native Mansfield in England and Augusta, Georgia, came into the final round with a three-shot lead but lost it over the front nine.

McIlroy dropped vital shots at the first and 17th holes at St Andrews

McIlroy got off to the worst possible start when he double bogeyed the opening hole after seeing his ball spin back into the Swilcan Burn, but bounced back with four straight birdies.

Chasing his fifth win of the season, McIlroy was tied for the lead down the back nine but bogeyed the difficult 17th when he rolled his putt from off the green into the Road Hole bunker.

Playing the pro-am event alongside his father Gerry, who was celebrating his 55th birthday, McIlroy birdied the 18th to get within one but just came up short.

"I probably lost it on those two holes, the first and the 17th but it was fantastic to play with my dad and for him to play St Andrews on his birthday was very special," said McIlroy.

Wilson produced a gutsy final round to secure his maiden victory

Wilson's victory delighted tournament officials and his fellow players

Wilson posed with the trophy on the famous Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole at St Andrews