Jorge Berendt was doused in champagne on the 18th green as he became the third Argentinian winner on the European Tour this season with his maiden victory in the Cannes Open.
Berendt was mobbed by Argentinian players and caddies after carding a final round 68 at Cannes Mougins for a 20-under-par total and one-shot victory over local favourite Jean Van de Velde.
The 37-year-old collected the first prize of €57,000 as he followed in the triumphant footsteps of Angel Cabrera and Ricardo Gonzalez in 2001, all three former caddies in their native country.
Frenchman Van de Velde, who closed with a brilliant 65, had the consolation of securing his card for next season with compatriot Thomas Levet, Spain's Santiago Luna and England's Andrew Marshall sharing third place.
"This is absolutely fantastic," said Berendt, whose previous best performance came when he lost a play-off to David Gilford for the Portuguese Open in 1993.
"I was very nervous on the last few holes but I am so proud of the way I managed to keep myself and my game going.
"I didn't look at the leaderboards until the 18th tee because I wanted to know exactly what I wanted to do." That turned out to be a par four which looked in doubt as his approach to the last flew over the green, leaving him a tricky pitch downhill to the flag.
"I was worried about that shot because that's the worst part of my game but I have been working hard on it so I was more confident than I would have been in the past and hit it to two feet." Berendt added: "To follow in the footsteps of the likes of Eduardo Romero, Angel Cabrera and Ricardo Gonzalez (his close friend who missed the cut but stayed behind to watch Berendt's triumph) is just fantastic.
"I can't tell you how I feel right now to be up there alongside these great Argentinian golfers." Van de Velde also had reason to celebrate after securing his card for next season after beginning the week in 138th on the Order of Merit.
"It could easily have been three or four shots better but I'm happy because now I have a job next year," said Van de Velde, who would have had a 10-year tour exemption if he had won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.
"All I needed was to put a good week on the board and there it is. My play of the last couple of months has not been reflected in my scores so today was exactly what I needed."
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