Louis finally clinched his maiden European Tour victory at the Open de Andalucia de Golf at the Parador in Malaga where he finished at seventeen under par, three shots ahead of Scotland's Peter Whiteford and ISM stablemate Richard Finch who were tied for second.

Louis put together rounds of 67, 63, 66 and 67 to take the title and the winners cheque of €166,660. He also now takes his place in the field for the US Masters at Augusta which begins on Thursday 8th April.

"I was quite nervous down the stretch and very nervous on the 18th tee so I just decided to hit it as hard as I could." said Louis, “Now I want to stay in the top 50 and be competitive every time I play.”

There was a welcoming committee for Louis after the final putt disappeared - fellow countryman Thomas Aiken and a host of the South African caddies drenched Louis in Champagne to help him celebrate. He did, however, have to leave the Trophy behind at Malaga Airport as it was deemed a 'Dangerous Object' by Monarch Airlines.

Louis now jumps to 8th in the European Tour Race to Dubai.