AN imperious David Howell was crowned king of Wentworth yesterday as he capped his rise from golfing mediocrity to the world elite.

Going into yesterday's last round of the BMW Championships with a three-shot lead, the Swindon golfer never looked in danger of throwing it away as he destroyed a top-class field to win by five.

Billed as a two-horse race after the third round, with Spaniard Miguel Jiminez looking ominous after Saturday's birdie blitz, Howell's most important round of his career became a procession.

Three birdies in the first five holes set the scene and allowed Howell to coast home on the back nine, with Simon Khan stealing second spot.

With a place in the world's top 10 for the first time, a guaranteed Ryder Cup spot and almost £500,000 up for grabs, no-one could have blamed Howell had he looked nervous.

Far from it. After parring the first, Howell hit an eight iron to within eight feet for a birdie on the par-three second.

A further par followed before Howell two-putted for birdie on the par-five fourth, after a glorious two-iron approach, before sinking a 40-foot put for another birdie on five.

With playing partner Jiminez stuttering, Howell had already opened up a five-shot lead and from there on, there was only ever going to be one winner.

A succession of pars followed as Howell played sensible golf, before his only blemish of the round on the par-three 10th.

His six-iron tee-shot was pushed to the right and down the hill, via a spectator's head, and he was unable to get up and down to save par.

A birdie on the par-five 12th quickly recovered that lost shot though and allowed the 30-year-old to savour his biggest ever triumph.

Tomorrow sees Howell off to the states for some pre-US Open tournaments now classed as a real contender.