JORDAN Smith finished in a tie for second place at the latest European Challenge Tour event – the D+D REAL Czech Challenge last week.
Derry Hill player Smith, pictured, had the chance to force a play-off in the Czech Republic but missed his birdie putt on the final hole to hand playing partner Damien Perrier, of France, a one-shot victory.
In a tense finale, Perrier shared the lead with the third member of the three-ball, fellow Frenchman Adrien Saddier, when the last group stepped onto the 17th tee.
A dropped shot for Saddier on that difficult par three, however, meant that Perrier held a one-shot advantage over his compatriot and 23-year-old Smith going down the last.
Perrier’s wayward drive found the semi-rough on the left and, although a nerveless approach fell to 22 feet from the hole, his missed birdie putt opened the door for Saddier and Smith to force a play-off.
They both failed to convert their birdie opportunities though, and Perrier was left with the simplest of tap-ins for a 24-under-total.
Smith resumes his Challenge Tour campaign this morning, teeing off in the first round of the Swiss Challenge in Lucerne.
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