SCOT BEN COLLIER PIPPED IN BULGARIA PLAY-OFF

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Callander, Perthshire exile Ben Collier was pipped in a play-off for the PGAs of Europe championship at Pravets Golf Resort, Bulgaria today. Collier, the left-handed 1990 Scottish boys match-play champion now a club pro based in Holland, tied with Portugal's Hugo Santos on 11-under-par 277 after running up a double bogey 5 at the short 17th in his final round. The 18th was replayed as the first hole of a sudden-death play-off and Santos birdied it to Collier's par. Ben's consolation prize was a cheque for £6,800 while Santos, who had lost his overnight lead with a triple bogey at the first but later birdie the 13th and 16th to get into the play-off, went off with the £10,000 jackpot prize. Santos's rounds were 67, 69, 69 and 72; Collier's 67, 67, 73 and 70. The Scot had six birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey in his final round. PGA Cup player Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) finished on 289 with scores of 70, 75, 70 and 74. He earned £975. A third Scot, Ian Taylor, finished on 300 with rounds of 78, 76, 74 and 72 and received £580. LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 288 (4x72) 277 Hugo Santos (Portugal) 67 69 69 72, Ben Collier (Scotland) 67 67 73 70. Santos (£10,000) bt Collier (£6,800) in a sudden death play-off. 280 Ralph Miller (England) 72 67 71 72 (£3,900). 281 Simon Edwards (Wales0 69 70 70 72, Michele Reale (Italy) 71 69 71 70 (£2,750 each). 283 Andrew Barnett (Wales) 70 74 70 69 (£2,100). 284 Jean-Pierre Cixous (France) 73 71 70 (£1,800). 285 Simon Brown (Germany) 69 71 74 71 (0£1,550). Selected scores: 288 Craig Matheson (Scotland) 70 75 70 75 (£975). 300 Ian Taylor (Scotland) 78 76 74 72 (£580). TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE