Rising star Nicky Harris won the Stoke by Nayland Championship last weekend, less than six months after turning professional.

The 25-year-old from Whitefield, Manchester, who plays on the Euro pro tour, the third biggest tour in Europe washed cars to fund his game during his amateur career.

He won a pulsating final-round battle with Jamie Nevill at the Suffolk club. The pair were tied at seven-under-par going down the 17th when Harris chipped home from 10 feet off the back of the green for a birdie to edge in front. It gave him a closing round of 67 to scoop the prize money. Harris, said: “I feel ecstatic to have won the tournament so quickly after turning Pro.

“It was nip and tuck all the way around, but we had so much fun playing – I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed playing with someone as much as I did with Jamie. It was a close climax and I just can’t believe that I won it.”

Harris, who stays religious and keeps kosher at home, aims to accomplish his own goals rather than aspire to be someone else. “My favourite player is Nick Faldo but I want to be able to make my own records and go on and hopefully win lots of tournaments.”

Harris will next be in action in Bristol when he plays in the Players Championships on the Euro tour this month.