Alvaro Quiros, of Spain, playing only his fourth event on the European Tour, was the surprise winner of the Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in Malelane, South Africa, yesterday.

Quiros had a five-under-par final round of 67 to win by one shot from Charl Schwartzel, of South Africa, the overnight leader, who put his second shot into the water on the par-five 18th when searching for a birdie to force a play-off.

Lee Westwood and Mark Pilkington, of Great Britain, who were level in second place two strokes in arrears at the start of the closing round, both endured frustrating days.

Westwood finished third on nine under par, four behind Quiros, after a 73, while Pilkington slumped to a share of seventh place after a 75, his round destroyed by three successive double bogeys in successioin from the the 7th to the 9th.

Quiros, 23, shot 74 on the opening day but followed with fine rounds of 66 and 68. However, he still started the final round in fifth place, four strokes behind.

The young Spaniard showed a deft hand on the greens as he picked up three birdies on the outward nine, then soared into the lead with successive birdies between the 13th and 15th holes.He had a putt for an eagle at the 18th but shaved the hole from 65 feet and was left with a simple tap in for his birdie.

Quiros, who is being coached by José Rivero, a former Ryder Cup player, said his driving had not been particularly accurate but his putting, not usually the best part of his game, had more than compensated.

“I have not been hitting the ball very straight off the tee,” he said. “I was pulling everything. But with my putting, which has been very poor the last five months, I didn’t miss.”

Oliver Fisher, 18, from Essex playing in his first tournament since turning professional, had a closing round of 75 to finish on 293, five over par.