Golding had never previously finished higher than sixth, was a lowly 411th in the world rankings – and seven months ago was on the point of quitting the circuit.

Somehow, despite all the understandable pressure on him after he had moved into the lead with a round to go, he kept his nerve to shoot a closing 69 for a 15 under par total of 273.

But the day’s event did not quite end there. For the first time in tour history drug officials from the French Sports Ministry had arrived to conduct some random tests and Golding, Howell and Australian Peter O’Malley, who had finished joint third with Justin Rose, were selected.

The emotion of winning came out minutes after Golding had found the green in two at the par five last and two-putted for the four that edged out Howell.

Echoing Sam Torrance after last September’s Ryder Cup he said: “Apart from the birth of my child (two years ago) this is the greatest moment in my life.

“When I just failed to keep my card last season I didn’t want to go back to the school, but my wife persuaded me to.

“I can’t believe this. It’s a dream come true and it means so much – apart from the financial side.”

That was pretty important too, though. The winner’s cheque was almost as much as Golding had earned in his entire career prior to this season.

His triumph followed that of Sheffield’s Malcolm Mackenzie last year. Mackenzie was also 40 and had not won in 508 events and 20 years when he made it in the same manner.

But whereas the Yorkshireman had had 33 top 10 finishes before his victory Golding – a former model – had never hinted that he would break through.

Yet he played as though it was the easiest thing in the world.