Long-awaited success is sweet for Nicolas Colsaerts

The Belgian stormed around the Luxehills Country Club in his final round to post a six-under 66 which left him 24 under for the tournament. That left Colsaerts with room to spare over Pablo Martin, Danny Lee, Peter Lawrie and Soren Kjeldsen, tied for second place on 20 under.

Sweden's Christian Nilsson finished a shot further back in sixth, with Englishman Danny Willett and Jamie Donaldson of Wales alongside Gregory Havret in a trio of players on 18 under.

Colsaerts has been consistent throughout the week and held a one-shot lead over Han Chang-won heading into the final day. The 28-year-old maintained that form, with six birdies taking him clear of the chasing pack. He becomes only the second Belgian to win a European Tour title, following in the footsteps of Phillipe Touissant 37 years ago

He has toiled to fulfil his potential during a 10-year professional career, and said: "I've been waiting for this for a very long time and I think I did it in the best of manners so I'm really delighted.

"A lot of people were expecting big things of me and for me to win tournaments a long time before. I lost my card, I got on Tour pretty young and I didn't know how to handle myself.

"I was doing basically every wrong thing you could possibly think of. One day I woke up though. I went to Australia for four months and it changed me forever.

"It's been a hell of a journey looking back. I didn't really have any idea of the level and how high you had to raise your game to play on Tour. But I never lost faith in getting to where I am and after everything that's happened I'm glad I did it this way."

Peter Whiteford notched his second top-20 finish of the season. The 30-year-old Fifer, who claimed fifth in last month's Sicilian Open, closed with a four-under 68 for a 15-under 273 to lead the Scots in a share of 16th and earn a cheque for 23,800.

Richie Ramsay, who had been sitting in the top-10 after round one, slipped to a final round of 74 and had to settle for a lowly 43rd place while Stepehen Gallacher signed off with a 72 for 279. David Drysdale had a 76 for 286.