Self-confessed 'nearly man' Darren Cook shook off that tag with a stunning display of putting to reach the PGA National Pro-Am Championship final at Turkey's Antalya Golf Club.
Having made five failed attempts for his European Tour card and narrowly missed out on reaching the Open four times, the West Hove PGA professional and his playing partner Kevin Woolley had plenty to celebrate after booking their spot in the final of Europe's biggest pro-am with victory in yesterday's regional final at Parkstone Golf Club.
But Cook, who was red hot with the putter, thought that the pair had blown their chance after both blotted their scorecards with a double bogey at the 16th - after reaching the turn in an impressive eight-under-par 29 - but held on to win by one shot.
"We started off quite nicely and then in the middle of the round we had a run of five birdies in six holes that turned a fun day into a serious one," said Cook.
"We even had a chance for six in six but didn't take it. We reached the turn at eight under par and were going really, really well.
"We took birdies at the 10th and 11th but couldn't increase on that and then on the par three 16th we both double bogeyed. I was wondering whether that had cost us our chance but birdied the 17th and made par on the last.
"I've been a nearly man in my career at times and I thought it was going to happen again but not this time.
"I've been playing this tournament about ten years and this is the first time I've got through having come close once or twice."
Cook, who has put himself in the running for the £5,000 on offer to the winning pro, and Woolley are now relishing their four-day battle over the PGA Sultan course and their all expenses trip to the five-star Sirene Hotel and Beach resort in Antalya between December 12-16.
Woolley, a self-employed carpenter from Brighton who plays off a handicap of 15, expressed his admiration for Cook.
"It was great to see how to hit a ball and his putting was different class," said the married father of three.