VIRGINIA WATER, England -- David Howell took home a five-stroke victory in the BMW Championship with a 69 on Sunday, breaking into the top 10 rankings for the first time.

Howell finished on 17-under 271 on the Ernie Els-remodelled Wentworth course. Simon Khan of England shot a 68 for 276 with Miguel Angel Jimenez third on 277 after a 72.

Howell began the day with a three-shot lead, and three birdies on the first five holes -- that included a 45-foot putt on the fifth -- put him five ahead of Jimenez.

The 30-year-old Englishman, a hero of Europe's 2004 Ryder Cup win, narrowly beat World No. 1 Tiger Woods to win the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai last November.

"It didn't feel easy," Howell said. "I'm delighted how I played, especially on the front nine.

"This is a million times better than beating Tiger. This is the European Tour's flagship event and I'm honored, delighted and humbled to join the list of champions. "I don't think I relaxed until I came off the 17th green," he added.

Howell leads the European Tour money with almost twice the winnings of No. 2 Paul Casey.

"I don't see myself as the best in Europe, just one of a bunch. But I'm not intimidated by anybody," he said.

He said his next goal is a major, rating the Masters as his best bet because he has his two best results in majors there.

"As for next month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot, that tournament is the toughest golf in the world. But if I drive well, I should give a good account of myself."

Howell will move to No. 10 from 17 in the new ranking, the European Tour said.

Khan has had a poor first half of the year after taking three months off late last year. He has missed seven cuts in 12 events, three out of the last four.

"This has been a great week. My driving and chipping were a lot better. I hoped I could make a run at it but I'm delighted for David. He's a great friend."

David Howell heads the European Tour money list in 2006. (Getty Images)

Jimenez needed a fast start to put pressure on Howell, but it was the Englishman who struck the first blow with a birdie at the short second. Both birdied the fourth, but Howell's 45-footer at the fifth followed by Jimenez bogeys at the sixth and ninth turned the back nine into a formality.

"David is playing very solid, very well," Jimenez said.

"At the end I just tried to make two birdies to finish second but I couldn't," said the Spaniard, who defends his Wales Open title at Celtic Manor next week.

A few of the big names slipped.

Casey, was tied overnight for third, slipped to a 74.

Retief Goosen and Ernie Els tied for 19th. Goosen shot 70 and Els had 72.

Luke Donald, ranked No. 10 at the start of the week, closed with a 72 to share 25th.

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