The Scot was facing an uncertain future four months ago, when he lost his tour card after a controversial decision meant that he missed out by just one place on the Order of Merit.

The 26-year-old needed a sponsor's invite to play in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open at Royal Selangor.

But now his fully exempt for the rest of the season and the following two years - and his victory has propelled him to sixth in the European money list.

"It hasn't sunk in yet, but it feels fantastic.

"It's incredible and hard to describe. I was pretty low at the end of last year and over the moon to finish fifth in South Africa in January.

"But, to win this, it's hard to explain how I feel right now.

"Had I been planning a schedule I might have missed Malaysia and started in Dubai next week, but I'm glad I had to come."

Forsyth birdied two of the last three holes in regulation play to force his way into the play-off with Australian Stephen Leaney, after looking to have blown his chances early on the back nine.

The Scot then holed from 15 feet for birdie at the second extra hole in sudden-death to claim the �112,894 first prize.

"I had a very sore head from around the 13th onwards and, when I bent down to mark the ball it felt as if my head was going to burst, but somehow I kept going," he said.

The Scot had been guaranteed 26 starts through a mixture of his ranking and invites.

But, as a tournament winner, he can now pick and choose which events he wants to play.

Manager Ian Doyle said: "He has been to hell and back.

"The wheels fell off at the end of 2000, when he just missed out on the rookie of the year award.

"He missed 11 cuts by one shot, which was quite incredible, but this win will stand him in good stead."