Former shop assistant Lee Slattery checked out in front of his rivals to capture a first Race to Dubai title in winning the Madrid Masters.

The 33-year old Englishman with the movie star looks ended a seven year winless drought on the main Race to Dubai tour in recording a final round 71 to win by a stroke with a 15-under par tally on the El Encin course.

Lee Slattery ends a seven year wait to win on the Race to Dubai tour. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Slattery began the last day two strokes in front of the field but quickly fell two behind when he dropped two shots in his opening six holes.

However the World No. 328th ranked Slattery regrouped to grab four birdies over the opening six holes of his inward nine to be then three clear of his rivals with a hole to play.

But it proved to be an anxious 72nd hole with Slattery finding a fairway bunker with his second shot and then putting his third into a water hazard before eventually finding the green where he sank a nervous two-foot putt for a double bogey seven.

“I’m still shaking and still a bit overwhelming after what happened there at the last and also standing over that two-footer to win,” he said.

“I’ve never shaken so much before in my life.   But apart from that I was just so relaxed all week and to now win for a first time is great.  It’s all about believing in yourself.

“I’ve been out here for seven years now and everyone has been saying I am good enough to win so now I can actually believe that.  So this win is huge.”

Slattery earned a first prize cheque of Euro 166,660 and a start in next month’s $US 7m WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China.

However the Euro 1m prize purse means Slattery will only enjoy a one year exemption rather than the normal two years.

Lee Slattery with his prize cheque and trophy at the victory presentation. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

And helping turn around Slattery’s game has been his work the past three weeks with sports psychologist, Don MacPherson who Slattery first worked with a few years ago.

“Don has worked with a lot of Formula One drivers like Schmacher and Vettell but then golf wasn’t really his forte so what he was trying to have me do was not that well alinged to golf,” said Slattery.

“So, I thought it best I have a break from him but then I saw him for the first time again about two to three weeks ago and I really started to enjoy working with Don.

“And now what happens two weeks later, I win my first tournament.”

Slattery has also dabbled in modelling work for Calvin Green and his picture actually adorns the back cover of the current Association of Golf Writers ‘Members’ handbook.

Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli (70) was second on 14-under par.

World No. 1 Luke Donald is set to join Slattery in Shanghai but that could all change with the birth of his second child.

However he will contest October 20th starting PGA Tour event in Florida if nearest money list rival Webb Simpson gets to within driving distance of his historic first of winning the Order of Merit on both sides of the Atlantic.

Donald ended his Madrid defence dropping three shots over his closing five holes in a level par 72 for an eight under par tally and joint 11th place.

And before leaving the Spanish capital, Donald was full of praise for Slattery.

However Donald was full of praise for Slattery to add his name to the trophy under his.

“I’ve played with ‘Slatts’ a few times and he’s a really nice guy who swings it well and I’m delighted for him,” said Donald.

“But it’s not easy to win out here these days as even Rory McIlroy has only won three times.”