Golf: Russell disappointed as French Challenge comes up short

LOTHIANS golfer Raymond Russell was "disappointed" after missing out on what would have been a second victory in the space of a few weeks.

The Prestonpans man led going into the final round of the Ctes d'Armor Open Bretagne, the latest event on the European Challenge Tour. But a closing one-over-par 71 left him in a share of second, a shot behind Englishman Sam Walker.

"I'm disappointed because I had a chance," said Russell, who had made a welcome return to winning ways with a recent win on the Alps Tour.

"I played the front nine poorly and, although I got it back together after the turn, I left chances out there at the 15th and 16th and again at the 18th."

Russell, who had stormed into the lead with a second-round 65 before retaining his one-shot advantage with a 70 on Saturday, dropped shots at the second, third and ninth to go out in 38.

He repaired some of that damage with birdies at the 11th and 12th but was unable to hole a 20-foot birdie putt at the last to force a play-off with Walker, who won the Scottish Challenge at Murcar Links in 2006.

The Englishman thought he had blown his chance when he bogeyed the last to slip back to level with Victor Riu at eight under. However, the Frenchman, in the group behind, also bogeyed the 18th to leave Walker as the winner.

On the European Tour, Lothians-based Richie Ramsay enjoyed a good weekend in the BMW Italian Open in Turin.

The South African Open champion closed with rounds of 65 and 71 to finish in a share of 13th alongside fellow Scot Peter Whiteford on 280.

In an event won by Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed, Edinburgh-based Andrew Coltart (70) finished on 282, three shots better than David Drysdale (74).