A former London cabbie in only his third full season as a European Tour professional produced the bravest round of his life to win the Celtic Manor Wales Open on Sunday.

Englishman Simon Khan, 31, a player outside the world's top 250, stunned fellow Englishman Paul Casey - the world number 30 - to clinch the coveted title in a dramatic play-off after both men finished on a record 21-under-par.

Khan, whose round of 61 on Friday broke the course record, held his nerve expertly to clinch the title from a man who looked home and dry when four strokes clear with seven holes to play.

His sensational win followed that of his close friend Scott Drummond (then ranked 445 in the world), who last week also came from nowhere to beat the big guns at the Volvo PGA Championship.

In a fairytale ending to a rollercoaster week, Khan clinched the win on the 18th green on the second play-off hole moments after he had missed a six foot putt on the same green to win the title.

"People always told me that holing a putt to win is extremely difficult and now I agree," he said.

"I didn't hit a very good putt and Paul made a great one, but it just made me more determined to pick myself up for the playoff holes."

Khan's win was tough on Casey, who shot 63 on Friday and 65 on Saturday, but he just couldn't shake off Khan on Sunday.

He was four clear on 13 but a superb 25 foot putt kept Khan in the races and the next two holes saw a three shot swing with Casey double-bogeying 15 to level matters.

Khan picked up a shot at 17 and despite Casey clawing his way back into contention at the death, Khan held his nerve when it mattered most.

A wayward second shot into the galleries from the fairway on the second play-off hole ended Casey's dream and Khan was a champion for the first time.

He said: "Scott Drummond's win definitely inspired me and got me thinking.

"I looked on Ceefax on Saturday night and it said Paul was in control, but I said there could be swings and I knew I was still in it and could still beat him.

"I was nervous but to win is an indescribable feeling, it makes everything worthwhile.

"There have been hard times getting here, I have worked on lead roofing and taxi driving, so it makes it all the sweeter to finally get here."