LYMM golfer Tom Murray held his nerve to seal a maiden European Challenge Tour title – and dedicated the victory to his girlfriend.

The 25-year-old finished tied on 16 under par with Nino Bertasio of Italy after four rounds, before a birdie on the second play-off hole clinched Murray a Volopa Irish Challenge victory.

He then dedicated the win to girlfriend Sophie Carrigill, who after suffering a serious car accident five years ago has become Great Britain wheelchair basketball team captain and won gold at the Women’s Under 25s Wheelchair Basketball World Championship earlier this year.

“Sophie plays elite sport herself and she studies psychology as well, so you couldn’t have a more perfect role model and inspiration for me,” the former Lymm Golf Club junior captain told the European Tour website.

“She keeps me on my toes and I just can’t imagine what she’s like right now.

“It does give you perspective and when she had her accident five years ago, I started putting her initials on my ball to remind me that if I hit a bad golf shot, it really doesn’t matter.

“I’ve done that ever since and the way I lined my ball up on the last, I could see the initials and to be honest, that was the only thought going through my head – she’ll be buzzing if I hole this.”

Murray jumped from 78th to 31st in the Road to Oman rankings with the win at the Mount Wolseley course in Carlow, southern Ireland, as well as securing a 28,000euro prize.

After beginning the day with two bogeys, Murray carded five birdies before the turn and putted a 25-foot birdie on the 18th to take it to a play-off.

After a par apiece on the first play-off hole, the Lymm golfer snatched another birdie and the title when he putted from 30 feet.

“It’s kind of surreal right now but it’s what I’ve been working for,” he added.

“I had a couple of good days working at home and mentally preparing for this. Mentally I was in a much better place and to get a first win is big.

“I was pretty much in control, a little bit nervous obviously, but I just kept saying to myself, keep positive, over every shot, so that kept me in my own little bubble.

“I had sensed it that I needed that birdie putt for a play-off, but I hadn’t looked at the leaderboard all day. My playing partner told me there was a tie at 15 under so I knew it would be significant, for a play-off or a win.

“They were both very similar putts so that helped me for the second one. I didn’t take much time over the second one, I knew the read – it was a bit uphill off the right - and it was the best putt of the day to be honest, rolled it in the front door.

“I’ve played the 18th nicely all week so I had quite a good feeling about it. I was way down the Rankings before this week so I had no events left, and I was nowhere on The European Tour so this week was massive. It’s extra special knowing I had to produce this week.”