Pilkington surged up the rankings after fine results this month

Pilkington finished two shots behind England's James Hepworth at the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in Italy.

His cheque for �13,000 moved him above Sweden's Johan Axgren by some �10,000 to clinch the Order of Merit title.

Hepworth's victory took him into the top 20 ranked players who qualify for next season's main European Tour.

"This is the best day of my career," said Hepworth, who finished fifth on the money list.

"This week just could not have been any better for me - it has been an absolute dream and I could not have wished for any more coming into this tournament.

"I can't wait to get up to the European Tour. It's been a long old season but this has made all the work worthwhile."

Pilkington's victory at the Kazakhstan Open earlier this month had already secured his place among the top 20 players.

And he ended the season on an another high as a four-under-par 67 gave him second place in Italy to leapfrog Axgren.

"I'm delighted to win the rankings," said Morfa Nefyn-man Pilkington.

"Getting the card for the Tour was the main priority for the season, but, after winning in Kazakhstan, the priorities changed and it feels great to be the number one player of the season."