Raymond Russell disappointed as he slips to second in Bretagne

RAYMOND Russell, the overnight leader, had to settle for a share of second place after a dramatic final round in the Côtes d'Armor Open Bretagne on the European Challenge Tour.

On a day of high scoring at Golf Blue Green Plneuf Val-Andr in windy conditions, the Scot lost out by a shot to Englishman Sam Walker after a closing 71 left him on 273, seven-under-par. After dropping shots at the third, third and ninth to be out in 39, Russell rallied with birdies at the 11th and 12th but was unable to convert a 20-foot putt at the last to force a play-off.

"I'm disappointed because I had a chance," said Russell, who returned to winning ways recently 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 then again at the 18th."

Walker, who won the 2006 Scottish Challenge at Murcar Links, 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.

"I played well today in tricky conditions," said Walker.

"I haven't been putting well for a while but for some reason my putter came out today and everything went in until the 18th. I hit my tee shot into a bush and chipped out into a bunker. I hit a great bunker shot and made a good putt but it just didn't drop."

The 32-year-old added: "I'm really happy with the way I played all week."

George Murray (73) tied for 17th on 281, with Callum Macaulay (70) finishing just inside the top 40 on 285.