Bradley Dredge has revealed the £268,952 cheque he took away after finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the Irish Open was the biggest of his career.

Welshman Dredge tied with Russell Knox – three shots behind McIlroy – after a superb final round of 66 at The K Club in County Kildare on Sunday.

It meant a sizeable reward for the 42-year-old from Tredegar, whose last European tour victory was the European Masters in 2006.

Dredge said: “I have played a lot of solid golf this year and felt that a good week might be just around the corner.

“And, although I made more money winning golf’s World Cup for Wales in 2005, my pay cheque from the week in Ireland will be €347,420 which is the biggest I have ever received from tournament play.

“That was a great way to finish the week because over the first couple of rounds I had scrambled really well to stay in the tournament. Now I would just like to build upon and go one better at the PGA at Wentworth.”

McIlroy had the luxury of being able to safely acknowledge the cheers of the fans as he walked towards the 18th green after his sensational five-wood ensured a comfortable margin of victory over Knox and Dredge.

But Dredge was more than pleased with his own efforts, having begun the final round six shots off the lead and in a tie for eighth place.

Seven birdies and one bogey put him on six-under par and he was the leader in the clubhouse until McIlroy’s sensational last hole finish.

The Northern Irishman hit the shot of the week at the 18th as a perfectly struck five-wood from over 250 yards pitched on the front of the green and rolled to within two feet of the hole.

The 27-year-old tapped in for eagle to wrap up his first victory since lifting the DP World Tour Championship title in November last year.

Dredge admitted: “When Rory set himself up with a close range eagle chance on the 18th green, I knew my chances of winning had gone, but I held onto a share of second place when Russell missed a birdie chance.

“And that was reward for a round of golf which could not have got off to a faster start.”

Dredge now has a chance to maintain his good form at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth from May 26.