McGrane falls agonisingly short

Headfort golfer Damien McGrane came agonisingly close to claiming his second European PGA Tour title on Sunday, but he was pipped at the post by England's David Horsey who won the Russian Open in Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club Moscow on the first extra hole.

The Kells man last won on the tour in 2008 when he claimed the China Open and as he walked to the 18th tee box on Sunday afternoon he looked set to claim his second win as he led by two shots from playing partner Scott Jamieson and was three ahead of Horsey.

However a second bogey of the week on the 18th dropped McGrane to -13, while a remarkable chip in for an eagle on 17th put Horsey on the same score. The English man parred the last and the tournament went to a play-off.

In the play-off McGrane found the bunker at the back of the 18th green with his second shot, while Horsey played safe and landed on the centre of the green.

McGrane's effort from the sand left him 15 feet from the hole and when he missed that putt to record his third bogey of the week on 18, Horsey was left with two putts to claim the crown and the €166,660 prize.

McGrane picked up a cheque for €111,110 for his efforts to bring his career prizemoney to close to €5 million.