GARY EMERSON enjoyed his best result of the season in the Portuguese Open, finishing seventh on a dramatic final day, writes Simon Straker.

The former Salisbury pro, pictured above, now operating out of Broadstone, squeezed through Friday night's cut after carding opening rounds of 73 and 71.

But he blossomed on the weekend and, but for a holed putt from off the green by Welshman Stephen Dodd on the 18th, could even have had a share of sixth place at the Oitavos club.

Six birdies on Saturday led to a round of 66 for Emerson and he went one better yesterday, responding in fine style after suffering a couple of bogeys at the start of his back nine. His 67 earned him £26,000 but, at the top of the leaderboard, an extraordinary finish led to Paul Broadhurst scooping his first European Tour title for ten years.

Leaders Paul Lawrie and Barry Lane threw their chances away with a seven on 17 and nine on the last respectively.

Hampshire duo Richard Bland (58th) and Matt Blackey (63rd) finished well down the field after both lost their way on Saturday.