GARY Emerson paid tribute to his close pal Nigel Tokely after earning his biggest European Tour cheque - a staggering £134,000 - for finishing joint second in the British Masters at The Belfry on Sunday, writes Andy Goodall.

Emerson's six-figure pay day rocketed the ex-Salisbury pro, who's now based at Broadstone, up 98 places on the order of merit to 33rd and secured his playing privileges for another year.

But there was no sign of Emerson's amazing return to form just a week earlier before meeting up with Tokely at the new Remedy Oak course at Horton the previous weekend.

"I had missed the cut in Italy the day before with a shocking display and my confidence was low. But Nigel helped me iron out a few problems with my swing and I haven't looked back since," said Emerson, pictured right, who had maintained his place in the top ten with a 73 in his third round on Saturday to add to his 68 and 70.

A closing five-under-par 67, however, saw Emerson take the high-quality field by surprise and set the pace in the clubhouse on ten under.

For a few tantalising moments while being interviewed on Sunday Grandstand, it looked a distinct possibility that the 42-year-old could be a contender for the £300,000 first prize.

But Swede Johan Edfors birdied the 15th and 17th to pull two clear of the field before dropping a shot at the last to Pip Emerson, Jarmo Sandelin and Stephen Gallacher by a stroke.

Emerson added: "This has to go down as one of the best days of my career. It is definitely the best I have played in a high-quality field."

l Emerson competes in the Nissan Irish Open this week along with Southampton's Richard Bland.