JORDAN Smith says he has to ‘pinch himself’ after his inaugural European Tour win booked his spot at the US PGA Championship next week.

The 24-year-old secured a thrilling two-hole play-off success against defending champion Alexander Levy to claim the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.

And the victory for the Bowood pro, which banked him more than 300,000 Euros, saw him leap 43 places in the world rankings to 82nd and secure an invite to the US PGA at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“It’s amazing that I’ve got in,” the Derry Hill ace told the Gazette and Herald. “This is going to be my first major and I can’t wait to get out there.

“When I look at what I have done already this season, I really do have to pinch myself.”

After winning the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit in 2015, Smith matched those heroics on the European Challenge Tour 12 months later by winning the Road to Oman title to secure his place on the main tour.

Smith had already put together a strong set of results in his rookie year to keep his Tour card for next season.

However, it was his performance in Germany that will long live in the memory for the Bowood ace.

Smith opened up with a round of two-under-par 70. However, back-to-back rounds of 67 saw him storm into a two-shot lead going into the final day on 12 under.

Frenchman Levy fought back on Sunday and was leading going into the final hole.

However, the defending champion could only manage a par five before Smith birdied the last to take it into a play-off.

Good tee shots saw both men land in virtually identical places on the fairway, before their second shots also landed on the green, although some distance from the pin.

Levy hit a sublime opening putt which left around three foot from the cup, while Smith was unable to be as precise.

The Wiltshire ace required two putts to secure par in the opening hole before the drama unfolded.

“I’d taken my cap off and I was ready to shake his hand to congratulate him but he missed the putt,” Smith said.

“Maybe he took it a little too casual, but it was a second chance for me and I took it.”

Back at the tee on the 18th, Smith found the rough only for Levy to land on the tracks where the buggies had been driving.

Levy went on to save par, while a birdie for the rookie secured the crown.