Hampshire's Sam Hutsby will return to the European Tour next season after winning his first ever Challenge Tour event.

The 25-year-old Liphook player triumphed at the Kazakhstan Open, finishing on 19-under-par at Zhailjau Golf Resort, two strokes ahead of fellow Englishman Andrew Johnston.

Hutsby received a winner's cheque for €72,000, jumping to third in the order of merit as a result, meaning he is guaranteed a place back on the elite circuit in 2015.

He held a five-shot advantage going into the last round and was challenged by Johnston on the final day, but refused to relinquish his lead.

A five-under-par 67, which followed rounds of 68, 63 and 71, proved more than enough for a maiden Tour title for Hutsby, who has not held a full European Tour card since the end of 2010.

"I thought if I came out today and shot five under then I’d have probably won it by some margin," he said to the European Tour after his win.

"AJ put so much pressure on me, though, which I thought was good, because it would have been a shame to see anyone struggle.

"No lead is ever big enough, especially with those last two holes and all the water, so one loose shot can rack up a big number.

"It was just an incredible back nine, though, and I pulled off some really key shots, which surprised even myself.

"My short game really kept me in it today, as I got up and down when I needed to and holed out pretty well, and we were both going at each other on the back nine, it was just relentless.

"Funnily enough I actually won my first ever professional event in the UK on the Jamega Tour playing with AJ, and now my first Tour win.

"So I was really pleased when I saw the draw, playing with him and George Murray, two of the most likeable guys on Tour, so that definitely helped as I was able to have a laugh with them in between shots, which kept me relaxed.

"AJ has had a fantastic year and he just showed his class today, as he’s had an awesome weekend.

"His play in the final two rounds just showed what a fantastic competitor he is, and on the 18th green he couldn’t compliment me enough, which was really nice of him.

"It has been the longest weekend of my life, though. I slept alright last night, but woke up at about 5am and it was all I could think about, and I wished I was teeing off at half seven.

"It was a long day and all a very new experience for me, but I’m just really pleased with how I handled myself.

"It is just so nice to get over that barrier and win my first title, and now I can relax and I can’t wait to get back out on The European Tour next year. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, so I might need a moment to myself, but I’m chuffed to bits."