Richard Wallis can look forward to representing Great Britain in the PGA Cup match against the USA next year after successfully defending his Titleist PGA Play-off title.

The 31-year-old Walmer & Kingsdown professional won by four strokes after an exciting battle with Ireland’s David Higgins at the Antalya Golf Club in Turkey last week.

A hooked drive cost Higgins a bogey on the last hole where Wallis sealed victory in style by chipping in off the green for a round of 70 to add to rounds of 67 and 68 for an eight-under-par total of 205.

He said: "I’m over the moon. I came here hoping to finish in the top three and get a PGA Cup spot so I’m pleased to have achieved that.

Lightning storms had wiped out the third round, reducing the £15,000 event to 54 holes and leaving the leading group of Wallis, Higgins and Scotland’s Greig Hutcheon to resume their interrupted third round on the seventh tee.

Wallis then finished the strongest to become the first player to successfully defend the PGA title, earning £2,000 prize money.

He will make his PGA Cup debut against the USA at Slaley Hall in Northumberland in September and another spin-off of his success in Turkey is a place in the BMW PGA Championship next May.

Caption: Richard Wallis with his trophy after successfully defending his Titleist PGA Play-off title.

Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images