American Todd Hamilton admitted he would not sleep for days after his thrilling victory in the Open championship.

Hamilton defeated Ernie Els in a four hole play-off at Royal Troon after the pair had finished tied on 10 under par.

The 38-year-old, playing only his eighth major championship, parred the extra holes to lift the famous Claret Jug and £720,000 first prize.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet what I accomplished today but it was a lot of hard work," Hamilton said.

"Ernie is a true champion, he fought to the very end not only in regulation but in the play-off and that's why he is already a major champion.

"I am so excited I probably won't sleep for two days. I know I won't sleep on the flight home which I usually do."

Hamilton led by one shot overnight and held off not only Els, but the likes of Masters champion Phil Mickelson, US Open champion Retief Goosen and world number one Tiger Woods.

"It was great," added the world number 56, who follows in the footsteps of Ben Curtis as a surprise winner. "I was trying to look around as much as I could to soak it all in.

"I've won tournaments around the world before but nothing on a stage like this. To be the Open champion is very special."

Hamilton only gained his US Tour card at the eighth attempt last December but won 11 times in his 12 years on the Japanese Tour.

"I'm a true believer if you can win a golf tournament, whether it be your junior championship, club championship, whatever it may be, if you can win you can focus on that positive and transfer it to your next match," he added.

Els, who was pipped to a first Masters title by Mickelson's 72nd hole birdie in April, was gracious in defeat, saying: "He played great the last two days when I played with him, he didn't make big mistakes and kept his nerve when he needed to - a great champion.

"I know how much he's going to enjoy it."

He added: "I didn't want to let this one go. I felt I was playing good. I made a big mistake on 10 making double bogey there but I didn't want to let this one go. I didn't play a very good play-off, I missed some putts and that's that.

"But I had a great time, a great week. Coming so close is a disappointment but I'll try and get over it. To get into the play-off after where I was you have to take the positives."