HORRABRIDGE golfer Scott Drummond this week stunned the golfing world by scooping the Volvo PGA Championships at Wentworth — a result which has swept him from a European Tour unknown to the verge of qualifying for a European Ryder Cup team place.

Scott's record-equalling 19-under-par championship victory over Argentinian Angel Cabrera netted him the winner's cheque for nearly £420,000 — plus £5,000 winnings from a £10 bet he placed on himself.

It was a staggering achievement for the 30-year-old player and a proud moment for his wife Claire and baby daughter Keira.

'I really can't comprehend it at the moment,' said Scott.

'I just got on with my game and it is a dream.'

Until last weekend, Scott had never finished higher than 16th in a tournament and his goal for Wentworth was 'four solid rounds'.

In front of record-breaking crowds, Scott managed to keep his cool during the final round of the competition, in which he and playing partner Cabrera matched each other shot for shot, keeping the likes of Ernie Els and Nick Faldo at arm's length.

At the last hole, Scott pitched to within eight feet and after Cabrera missed a ten-foot birdie putt, Scott calmly holed his birdie putt to win by two shots.

'On the 18th I didn't look at the leaderboard but the cheer from the crowd told me — and the look in my caddie's eyes as well, I knew we had done it.'

The first person to congratulate Scott was his father George, who funded him during the beginning of his golfing career.

With beaming pictures of himself clutching the huge silver Volvo trophy plastered over every newspaper, Scott's dream win has seen his points total leap to 642,319 — a tally which puts him just three places behind the current qualifiers for the European Ryder Cup. Another tournament win or top five finish could mean Scott qualifies for the event in America in September — he will also be be among the starters for this year's Open and possibly the US Open.

He has also virtually guaranteed himself the title European Rookie of the Year, reserved for the highest-earning golfers stepping up from the Challenge Tour — an ambition he set himself at the end of last year.

In addition, he has earned himself a five-year exemption to the European Tour, automatic entry for the 133rd Open Championship at Royal Troon in July and the World Golf Championships — NEC Invitational in August.

Having taken the European tour's flagship title on his first attempt, Scott can now proudly stand above the likes of Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els, among many others, who have tried and failed the championship.

He shares this honour with just one other golfer — the legendary Arnold Palmer.