Bookmakers have made Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke the new even money favourite for the Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Clarke shot to the head of the field for the BBC gong after breaking down in tears at the conclusion of the golf tournament in Ireland.
And the popular Ulsterman, who lost his wife Heather to cancer earlier this year, is sure to attract the support of punters in the run-up to December's announcement having ousted Zara Phillips from the top of the betting with Ladbrokes bookmakers.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "He was 8/1 when the tournament kicked off and was still 5/1 on Sunday morning. Punters started to go berserk around lunchtime when the fairytale started to materialise and we had to suspend our market as the afternoon unfolded.
At a crowded Dungannon Golf Club, where Clarke learned his game, honorary secretary Sean Hughes said he was delighted with the local man's performance six weeks after Heather's death.
"We are absolutely over the moon that after the tragic death of Darren's wife he has performed so well," he said.
"He has won all three games and he has played fantastically well and we are very proud of him.
"We know he is a world class player and has been world champion in the past when he beat Tiger Woods, but this has to be one of his most memorable performances."
Mr Hughes added that the club had been cheering on the County Tyrone man throughout the three day event at the K-Club near Dublin.
It was unclear whether Clarke would enter golf's most prestigious team event after his wife's death, but in the end he was handed a wild card by the European team captain in what proved an inspired choice.
