Picture Gallery: Willett has US Open in sights after new peak at Wentworth

The 22-year-old Rotherham golfer finished fifth at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, three strokes behind Simon Khan who charged through the field to pinch victory with a final-round 66.

Willett, who led the European Tour's flagship tournament after day one and again yesterday in the early stages of the final round, drained a 20-foot putt on the 72nd hole to claim fifth place on his own and a cheque for E190,000 (164,823).

It is the biggest prize of his career and comes just two years after he turned professional and 18 months after he qualified for the European Tour.

Click the green PLAY button to watch a slideshow of the action from Wentworth >>

Willett now heads to Walton Heath to attempt to win one of a handful of places on offer at next month's US Open at Pebble Beach, buoyed by his performance at Wentworth.

"I was at the sharp end of the tournament from start to finish, under pressure throughout and I performed well," said Willett, the former Yorkshire Amateur champion.

"I didn't keel over, I didn't panic, I didn't play it safe and I didn't back off shots.

"Fortunately I finished with that birdie on the last but it's another one of those where there were good bits and bad bits.

"I've finished only three back so I'm pleased with my overall performance.

"I've just got to take that aggression into US Open qualifying.

"Walton Heath won't be as penal as Wentworth has been this week so hopefully I will be rewarded."

Wentworth winner Khan is not sure whether he will take his place at today's 36-hole US Open qualifier following his remarkable victory.

The Englishman was only at the PGA on a sponsor's invite and began the day seven shots adrift of overnight leader Chris Wood.

But as Wood, Willett and a host of established names like Luke Donald and Robert Karlsson failed to grasp the initiative on the redesigned West Course, Khan's stunning 66 earned him the biggest title of his career and a five-year Tour exemption.

"This is what I've always dreamed of doing," said Khan.

"It's as much for the family as it is for me – it's unbelievable to be standing here right now.

"This means everything. This tournament is the reason I started playing golf and just being here is special this year."

Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed also came from a long way back to finish second, a shot behind Khan's six-under par total of 278.

Donald's chances ended when he ran up a double bogey on the 17th.