Stewart misses out in Murcia

SCOT Duncan Stewart finished third in the EuroPro Tour Championship in Spain but fell just short in his bid to earn a step up to the Challenge Tour next season.

The Grantown-on-Spey player, who won on the third-tier circuit earlier in the year, closed with a 68 to finish on 13-under-par in the 888poker.com-sponsored event in Murcia.

He missed out on a play-off for the £15,000 prize by a shot and instead had to settle for a cheque for £3,750. That saw him finish in eighth spot on the Order of Merit, missing out on a Challenge Tour card by three spots.

James Busby beat fellow Englishman George Cowan in the play-off to secure a card along with Chris Hanson, Graeme Clark, Luke Goddard and Jamie Abbot.