Harlow, 40, turned cartwheels down the rink in Perth when he picked up his trophy and a cheque for £7,000 – keeping a promise he had made to family and friends back in Cambridgeshire.

His opponent in the final, was the competition's surprise package, the number 16 seed John Price, who was only in the draw after a late withdrawal left a spare place in the new season's opening event which is contested by the top 16 players in the world.

While Harlow booked his place in the final with a close-run 7-4, 6-8, 2-1 victory over sixth seed Paul Foster, Price enjoyed an unexpected 8-6, 5-7, 2-0 win against defending champion and top seed Andy Thomson to ensure a new name would be on the trophy.

The City of Ely Club player was in commanding form as he beat Price in straight sets 11-6, 16-1, to take the title for the first time.

"I wish every event was the first of the season – that's the fourth I've won in the last five seasons," said a jubilant Harlow.

It was his opponent who romped to a 4-0 lead in the first set before Harlow, the world number two, fought back to take the lead over the next two ends and went on to win the set.

The Soham ace maintained his form in the second, moving to 3-0 before Price got on the scoreboard with a single in the third end.

But Harlow's full-house four shots in the fifth end signalled the Welshman's demise before wins in the following three ends secured Harlow the title with three of the scheduled 11 ends remaining.

"That's the full set," said the new champion. "I had previously won Opens in England, Ireland and Wales but that's my first in Scotland.

"Now I'd dearly love to win the world title at Potters Leisure Resort in January," he added.

Before that, Harlow starts his challenge for the International Open at Burgess Hill on Sunday with a first round match against qualifier Robert Paxton.