Levet was full of praise for Essex youngster Fisher, saying he has the potential to compare to some of the world's best.

"I don't think I've ever finished a tournament this way - Oliver made it very hard," he said.

"He will probably be the next Nick Faldo or something like that because he is a great player.

"If he improves on Tour in two or three years he'll be like Tiger Woods - he's that good."

Levet's first win for four years came with a cheque of almost £130,000 and completed his comeback from an horrendous time in 2006 and early 2007 when he feared a serious bout of vertigo might end his career.

Westwood, leading the Ryder Cup points race and eager to win his final tournament before the Masters, birdied four of the first six holes.

But Fisher matched that to remain only one behind, levelled with a seven-footer at the 349-yard seventh and then saw Westwood bogey the next two.

Out in 31, the former Junior Ryder Cup winner stretched his lead to three with a chip to six feet on the long 10th.

After wobbling at the 13th and 14th he hit his approach to the 399-yard 15th to three feet for his seventh birdie.

He nearly eagled the 526-yard 16th after another glorious iron, but Levet matched his birdie and from then on it all went his way.

Westwood was asked if he felt sorry for his fellow Englishman.

"No," he replied. "If he wants sympathy off his playing partners he is in the wrong game."

The world number 20 added: "The eighth and ninth really took the wind out of my sails and on the back nine I couldn't really get it close."

Fisher, in his second full season as a professional and ranked 290th in the world, said: "I would have loved to win, but I am sure there will be more chances.

"On the final hole I just turned it over a little bit and it pitched 15 to 20 yards short of the water. As soon as you get it going on the wind it goes miles.

"The second time was always going to be a little hard after doing that.

"But I was pretty happy with my week. I got myself into contention and played pretty nicely."

Jose Maria Olazabal's first event for seven months ended with him in 61st place - he had been delighted to make the cut.