RELUCTANT hero David Howell is now eyeing up the Majors after his Wentworth wizardry confirmed him as the best European in the business.

The European Order of Merit leader, pictured above, became the first English golfer to win the BMW Championship since Nick Faldo in 1989, moving him into the world's top 10 for the first time in his career.

A three-under par last round yesterday secured him a five-shot victory over Simon Khan, banking him a slot in September's Ryder Cup along with a cheque for a cool £480,000.

The 30-year-old remained modest about his third tournament win this season, but reluctantly admitted he has joined golf's big boys.

He said: "This event is as big as it gets on the European tour.

"I have never particularly dreamed of it because I never thought it would happen.

"I don't consider myself as the best golfer in Europe, right now I am one of a batch of very good players. The thing now is I am not intimidated by anyone, and that is in the world.

"I won't get ahead of myself but I am comfortable with my position, I have far more belief now, and I am on a different stratosphere to where I was a couple of seasons back.

"I guess now I am in a position where if I play well in one of the four majors I've got a chance of winning it.

"Then we would have to see whether I would take that chance.

"I never thought I would be in a position where I was saying something like that though."

Howell's European domination was clear from Thursday's opening round as, despite a bad back, he decimated the strongest field the event has ever attracted.

He said: "I have never believed I am a brilliant golfer but if I keep playing like I am at the moment then I guess I have to accept I am not too bad.

"Ranking points don't lie and so I guess I had better start believing it. The last round went exactly as I had hoped.

"I could not have played the front nine any better and that obviously gave me some breathing space. I am overwhelmed at the moment."