Paul Casey, unrecognisable from the golfer who was in the middle of a nightmare slump this time last year, held off Colin Montgomerie and the rest of the chasing pack to win the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Back at the scene of his maiden European Tour win in 2001 - his rookie season as a professional - Casey survived what he called a 'nerve-wracking' closing stretch after it looked as though he might lose a four-stroke lead.
In the end the 28-year-old's one-under-par 72 proved just good enough for a one-stroke victory over fellow Andrew Marshall and Soren Hansen.
Montgomerie, who lost last week's US Open after double-bogeying the final hole, was also only one behind with two to play but this time bogeyed the short 17th and by failing to birdie the 533-yard 18th had to settle for a share of fourth spot with Thomas Bjorn.
His victory lifts Casey to fifth place in the Ryder Cup race and closes the gap on David Howell at the top of the Order of Merit.
Paul McGinley finished best of an ultimately disappointing Irish contingent on six-under-par.
