Third-place George Murray makes hay at Madeira Open

FIFER George Murray missed out on the title but still recorded his best-ever finish on the European Tour by securing third place behind English duo James Morrison and Oliver Fisher in the Madeira Islands Open.

The former Scottish amateur champion closed with a 73 for a 14-under-par total of 274 – six shots behind Morrison, who held his nerve for a one-stroke victory.

Murray picked up a cheque for 43,820 euros – nearly 40,000 more than his previous biggest pay-day on the circuit, which came in the same event two years ago.

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Morrison led by three strokes going into the final round but was twice pegged back to just a single shot ahead as Fisher shot a seven-under-par 65, the joint best round of the day.

The second of those occasions came when Morrison bogeyed the 17th, but both he and Fisher birdied the last to give Morrison victory on 20-under par.

Morrison, who started the day 18-under, said: "I'm overwhelmed. It hasn't really sunk in yet. I don't think it'll sink in until Monday. I'm over the moon."

Speaking about the dramatic final hole, Morrison added: "I knew I had to go for it because I knew Ollie would hit the green and make four at least. I knew I had to make four to win.

"So I hit a three wood off a downhill lie and it was the best shot of my career because it meant the most.

"I've got my card for next year. I can play Wentworth, Loch Lomond, I can play all the big events now, and who knows what can happen from here. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully the doors keep opening."

Chris Doak (69) and Andrew Coltart (71) tied for 29th, with Jamie McLeary (72) 41st, last year's runner-up Callum Macaulay (71) 44th and Scott Drummond (69) 58th.

South African champion Richie Ramsay (70) was 58th with Andrew McArthur, who was well placed after the opening two rounds, bringing up the rear in the Scottish contingent after closing rounds of 75 and 78 dropped him down to 64th.

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