“I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous on a golf course.”

Scotland’s Grant Forrest knocked in a last-hole birdie at the Spanish Open on Sunday to seal the biggest win of his career.

Along with the £480,000 first prize come places at the Masters and The Open next year.

It has also propelled the 33-year-old up 156 places the world rankings to 140th.

Playing partner Victor Perez missed his chance to overtake clubhouse leader Eugenio Chacarra, leaving the door open for Forrest to claim his third DP World Tour title and a first professional win outside Scotland.

“When the stage was set for me to try and hole the winning putt, my hands were shaking,” he told BBC Scotland.

“I don’t know how I managed to make it go in. Delighted that it did, obviously.

“You just fall back into your routine. Breathing has been a huge part of what I’ve worked on recently – and that really helped throughout the whole day.”

Forrest has not had much sleep over “a surreal 24 hours” as he flew from Madrid to New Dehli for the DP World India Championship.

Having made his professional bow over a decade ago, he said the victory brought “a lot of validation, relief as well.”

On the prospect of a Masters debut in April, he explained: “I was there as a spectator in 2019 and it’s just an incredibly special place.

“To have the opportunity to play hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Forrest has had experience of The Open in 2013 and 2018, at Muirfield and Carnoustie respectively.

“Playing a third at St Andrews is going to be incredible,” he added.

Forrest graduated from the European Challenge Tour to the DP World Tour at the end of the 2018 season along with compatriots Robert MacIntyre and David Law.

Connor Syme and Scott Jamieson have won titles in the past two years, along with Ryder Cup star MacIntyre.

“It gives you positive energy when one guy succeeds,” Forrest said on the current strength of Scottish golf.

“You know they are not much different in terms of ability, it’s just reminding yourself that a win can be round the corner at any point.”