Frenchman Victor Perez was appropriately doused in champagne after brilliantly capturing a maiden European Tour title with his one-shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

Perez, 27 headed into the final round tied with England’s and playing partner Matthew Southgate, having both shared a two-stroke lead heading into day four.

However, Perez found himself a stroke behind his English rival heading into the back nine despite a flawless two under front nine.

A dropped shot at the par three 11^th meant he dropped further off the pace but a birdie at the par five 14^th for the 2018 European Challenge Tour graduate, and a bogey for Southgate, meant a two-shot swing had them level going down the stretch.

Victor Perez wins the @dunhilllinks! 🏆🇫🇷@v_perez2 #DunhillLinks pic.twitter.com/flf4JgCY6V

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 29, 2019

The turning point came when Southgae missed a par putt at the notorious ‘Road Hole’ 17th leaving Perez to two-putt the last for a par and victory.

Perez, who now lives in Dundee with his partner Abigail, earned a two-year Tour exemption and jumped 61 spots to 17th on the Race to Dubai while he is now lying second on the 2020 Ryder Cup points table.

“It’s really hard to describe right now. I feel like the emotions were really high all day, and really cold, windy, long day out there. I felt like I was able to battle,” said Perez.

“Matt played amazing. I was expecting some of the guys to charge, and we were fortunate in a it was a one-on-one battle on the back nine and was able to make that birdie on 14 that really pulled me back, and then just held strong till the end. I was fortunate it was my time today.

“After the birdie on 14, getting tied for the lead, playing 15, I just tried to still give myself chances. You always expect these guys at this level to make birdies and you have to stay aggressive. I think when Matt hit his drive down 16, well, there you have it. This is what these guys do. They come in there and give themselves chances. I hit a great drive to 17 that really settled me and a great iron shot that I thought hit it close. Going down the last with a one-shot lead is all you can ask for.

“The format is awesome. I think it’s a chance for the amateurs to see from inside the ropes and connect with the players, which is something that they strive and they love to do and chat with us and ask what clubs we hit and why and all these kind of questions. I think it’s really cool that we can give back those people, as well.

“Obviously there’s nothing like a win. The confidence that you get from getting it done, it’s so difficult at this level to win. Being my first year, I’m obviously delighted.”

Matthew Southgate: “I’ve done everything I can do. I was impressed with how level-headed I stayed and felt amazingly calm really all day, which is quite a surprise to be honest. I thought I might be a little more excited and kept a great rhythm with my swing. Didn’t miss a shot all day and if anything, hit a couple too good that went past the flag.

“It’s been a horrible season for me and this has sorted that right out and gotten us right back to the Race to Dubai and that’s the goal for me, really. I think I’ve proven to the world this week that when I do switch it on, I can mix it with the best and I’ve beaten a hell of a lot of good players this week.

“I’ve played some great golf, and you can’t help but be pleased. Victor, what a gentleman. I’ve never played with him before, and couldn’t be happier for him. You know, one of us was on the first tee and I was thinking, I hope one of us gets our first win, and golf’s bigger than individual, you know. It’s a big gentleman’s game, and it was an absolute pleasure to shake his hand on the last green there. He played fantastic all day, and I’m chuffed to bits coming second to such a great bloke.”

Tommy Fleetwood: “I played all right today. I think putting was a massive difference. Yesterday I struggled and it was a bit of a flat day. For the most part today, I was thinking about the team competition. I think it took my mind off everything else and just got on a really nice run.

“We’ve played in it a lot and I know how much it means to those guys. I was nervous. I said to Ogden, we had five holes left, and he said, “I’m going to need you on these last few.” He was nervous coming down the stretch but we did great. To win it. It means a lot when it’s not just yourself and it’s a partnership.”