The 23-year-old Japanese star, whose unique swing has become a talking point on tour, earned his DP World Tour card after topping last season's Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit and has continued that momentum in Europe.

Kaneko arrived at Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith fresh off a runner-up finish at last week's Soudal Open and carrying strong form, having made 10 cuts from 12 starts this season.

Three consecutive rounds of 65 had him in contention heading into Sunday, and he held his nerve through a late stumble and a 71-minute weather delay to finish at 18-under-par, two clear of Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and American Davis Bryant.

"I just can't believe it, I didn't think I would win, and I'm still very surprised," Kaneko said.

"I knew I hit it hard, but it went in so I was lucky.

"I knew I hit the board but I knew it didn't go in the water, so I was just happy it didn't find the water.

"I'd like to thank all the fans this week, they've been a big support to help me win this tournament."

Gouveia briefly drew level with Kaneko at 15-under through two holes before moving ahead when the Japanese player dropped a shot at the third.

Kaneko responded with a birdie at the fifth to reclaim a share of the lead, but local hope Maximilian Steinlechner had joined the battle after making a fast start. The Austrian surged into contention with a hat-trick of birdies from the second hole before adding another run of three consecutive birdies from the ninth.

Fellow Austrian and nine-time DP World Tour winner Bernd Wiesberger also mounted a charge, following a birdie at the third with three more in succession from the sixth to reach 15-under.

Dutchman Joost Luiten made it five players tied for the lead with his third birdie of the day at the ninth, though Gouveia soon edged clear after holing a 15-foot birdie putt at the same hole.

A birdie at the 10th lifted Gouveia to 17-under, with Kaneko matching him to remain within one shot. But the Portuguese player faltered at the 11th, dropping back into a share of the lead.

Kaneko seized the initiative with a birdie at the 12th and followed it with a superb tee shot at the par-three 13th. Wiesberger's long birdie conversion brought him level with Gouveia at 16-under, but both were quickly left behind.

The Japanese star calmly converted from three feet at the 13th to become the first player to reach 18-under.

Bryant then emerged as Kaneko's closest challenger, combining an eagle with four birdies through 16 holes to close within one shot. When Kaneko failed to save par at the 15th after the lengthy weather interruption, the pair were tied at 17-under.

The deadlock lasted only one hole.

Despite missing the green at the par-three 16th, Kaneko chipped in to move back to 18-under and restore his one-shot advantage.

Bryant's bogey at the final hole handed Kaneko a two-shot cushion, and the tournament was effectively over.

Kaneko parred his way home, surviving a nervous moment at the last when his approach found the stands behind the green before settling in thick rough near a water hazard, to secure his breakthrough DP World Tour victory.

Bryant and Gouveia shared second at 16-under, while Wiesberger, Italy's Gregorio De Leo and Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello finished a shot further back at 15-under.

Steinlechner, Luiten, New Zealand's Daniel Hillier and Spain's Manuel Elvira rounded out the top 10 at 14-under, while Anthony Quayle was the best-placed Australian, finishing in a tie for 59th.