'Fairytale' triumph for Dier

German Tobias Dier could scarcely believe his victory in the TNT Open despite leading from start to finish.

Dier carded a final round 69 for a 17-underpar total and a one-shot victory over England's Jamie Spence, with Australian Peter Lonard and Ireland's Padraig Harrington sharing third place.

The 25-year-old Dier had missed the cut in 12 of his last 15 events and was a lowly 182nd on the order of merit before holding his nerve to claim the £193,000 first prize, more than 10 times his earnings for the rest of the season.

"I don't really know what to say," insisted Dier. "If someone had told me I would be the champion I would have said, 'Dream on'. It's like a fairytale."