BLACKWOOD'S Bradley Dredge is facing an anxious wait to discover if his maiden European Tour victory is enough to book his place in next month's US Masters.

The 29-year-old carded a final-round 71 in the Madeira Island Open for a 16-under-par total of 272 and eight-shot win to take the £67,790 first prize at Santo da Serra.

Dredge, 72nd on the world list, was desperate to end his search for a first tour victory after coming close to claiming the Volvo Masters title, eventually shared by Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, at the end of last year.

And after doing so in style, Dredge could receive a massive bonus if his win was enough to move him from 72nd in the world rankings to a place inside the top 50.

That would earn him entry into the US Masters if he could remain there until the week before the first Major of the year from April 10-13.

"That was one of my goals at the start of the year but I didn't play as well as I wanted so it took a back seat," Dredge said.

"I'm not playing between now and the Masters so I'll just have to hope it's enough."

The main foundation for Dredge's victory came with an incredible third round of 60 which was just one shot off the European Tour record.

Dredge was the only member of the top 100 competing in Madeira and found himself in the unusual position of outright favourite at the start of the week. He has twice finished runner-up on the European Tour and also recorded nine other top-10 places last season as he finished 18th on the Order of Merit.

But the former Walker Cup player was desperate to end his search for a first tour victory after coming close to claiming the prestigious Volvo Masters title - eventually shared by Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer - at the end of last year.

"It feels wonderful," said Dredge, who could comfortably afford the luxury of a bogey on the last. "I've waited a long time for this, so I'm going to savour it for a few weeks at home.

"It was frustrating because I really wanted to win last year and I had a few chances, but I tried not to put too much pressure on myself.

"I never imagined I would have such a short putt to win a tournament, or that I would have about eight putts for it from four inches.

"Going out and shooting 60 in the third round made things so much easier. I made a few errors yesterday, but I knew my game was in good shape.

"It was difficult in a way today because my normal game is quite attacking, but sometimes I had to be aware of tough pin positions and play for the centre of the green instead.

"I thought someone could have shot 64 today, but I looked at the leaderboard on the 12th hole and still had an eight-shot lead which made my life a lot easier."

Dredge will now anxiously await the publication of the updated world ranking list on Monday to see if his victory is enough to lift him from 72nd into the top 50.

That would earn him entry into the US Masters if he could remain there until the week before the first major of the year from April 10-13.

The main interest on the final day centred on the battle for second place and only a bogey on the 17th from Little prevented it from being a four-way tie.

Marshall conjured up the best finish with birdies at the last two holes, his 7-iron on the par-three 17th hitting the pin and stopping six inches away from a hole-in-one.

"I didn't play great, but a good finish like that is always nice," said the 29-year-old from Norfolk, who had to return to the qualifying school in November to retain his card.

"I was trying not to watch what everyone else was doing as it is a big thing for me."