DANNY WILLETT, who plays out of Howley Hall Golf Club at Batley, is celebrating his first win on the European Tour.

The 24-year-old from Sheffield landed the BMW International Open title in Cologne after beating Aussie Marcus Fraser.

Former Yorkshire and English amateur champion Willett claimed the £270,000 first prize after a fourth play-off hole in wet and windy conditions.

He had thrown away a three-stroke lead but was given a reprieve when Fraser bogeyed the 456-yard final hole, with the pair finishing on 277, 11 under.

“It feels great,” he said. “I’ve had some ups and downs in the last 18 months, but I’m injury free now.”

Willett and Fraser played the 18th hole four more times to settle the issue – first parring it, then bogeying, than parring again.

Fraser, twice a winner on the circuit, was favourite to land the first prize of nearly £270,000 when he was 30 feet away in two and Willett went over the green.

But having almost chipped in, Willett watched Fraser lip out and then miss his four-footer coming back.

Willett, a teammate of Rory McIlroy in the 2007 Walker Cup, endured a frustrating Tour last year, coming 91st in The Race to Dubai after previous efforts of 58th in 2009 and 23rd in 2010.

He is coached by Graham Walker, who was named in Golf Monthly’s Top 25 coaches and cites Tiger Woods as his chief inspiration.