The 27-year-old's sixth runner-up finish came when he lost the Italian Open in Milan by a single stroke to South African African Hennie Otto.

But to get that close, the Englishman produced a closing 64 that was the low round of the day by two - and he played half of his second round on Friday without a putter.

He bent it banging it against his bag - not with any great force, he insisted - but amazingly made three birdies using a wedge on the greens on the back nine.

"I'm proud of myself," said the former Walker Cup player. "I could have easily let that get to me and blow myself out of the tournament.

"But I didn't and to shoot eight under on the last day, I can't complain. Going out six behind, I just went to get second more than anything.

"I got it going (eight birdies in his first 14 holes), but I didn't quite hit it close enough on the last few to put real pressure on him (Otto)."

Wilson was actually joint leader when Otto took six on the long 12th and the latter was so annoyed at that, he shaped to break his putter across his knee.

That brought back memories of the time in 2001 when he shot 80 in the South African Masters, broke every single club in half and threw them all in a river.

On this occasion, he was glad he resisted the temptation. A 20-footer went in on the next hole and, with Wilson missing from 15 feet at the last, the 31-year-old parred in for a title that won him back his European Tour membership.

The shot he will remember came on the 18th after his drive finished just above a bunker. He had to play his approach with one foot in the sand and one out and got it to within six feet.

Otto, having earlier lost a five-shot lead just as he had in Madeira in March, said: "My stance wasn't actually too bad. I played for the draw and the result was perfect.

"After the bogey at 12, I thought to myself 'here we go'. I don't get nervous, I get angry, but my caddie kept me together.

"I've come close to winning a few times on the European Tour, so maybe it was high time I won one. And I can now plan two or three years ahead, which will be nice.

"I just made more putts than I did in Madeira - it was probably my best ever putting display.

"It's a big weight off my shoulders and I'm going home to relax and enjoy myself, so I won't be playing in Ireland."

Wilson has still to win, but with three second places already this season, he is up to ninth on the Order of Merit and 15th in the Ryder Cup race.

"I want to win and I want to win badly, but if I keep getting into contention, it is only a matter of time before it happens," he added.

"I have played great this week and I am sure it will not be long. There are some big tournaments coming up, so we will see how I go in those."