Sam Forgan successfully defended his East Anglian Open crown – but only after a thrilling climax at the superbly-conditioned Ingrebourne Links.
Halfway leader Glen Portelli kept in front throughout day two until the final green where his 28-foot birdie putt circled the hole before staying above ground.
Forgan, who had trailed by two shots after a bogey at the 14th, calmly slotted home from close range to finish at three-under-par and force a play-off with Portelli.
The drama continued on the excellent Essex lay-out as Portelli appeared to sit in pole position after a booming drive down the second extra hole ended up around 35 yards from the cup on the par-4.
Meanwhile, Forgan looked in spot of trouble after his approach from the rough rolled right to the back edge of the green. From there he hit a long-distance putt that left him with work to do.
Portelli duly attempted a mid-range birdie chance that came up just short before his opponent again showed his mettle by draining a three and a half footer to extend the play-off.
The issue was eventually settled at the third additional hole – the par-3 eighth – after Portelli’s 7-iron left an extremely difficult putt to a flag cut beneath him on the lower tier.
Felixstowe Ferry golfer Forgan executed a fine lag effort before tapping-in to leave Portelli staring at a 15-footer to remain in the hunt.
The Old Fold Manor professional delivered a bold stroke but again endured the immense frustration of another lip-out.
Suffolk ace Forgan felt his rival’s pain and offered a sporting response after being handed the trophy.
Forgan, 34, said: “I really feel for Glen, to be honest. He hit a great putt on 18 and got a pretty shocking lip-out.
“I think he did really well to put that behind him and play some pretty good golf in the play-off.
“There’s always ebbs and flows. Even in the play-off, I was maybe in a better position than Glen on one, going into the green. Then he was in a much better position on two.
“It’s one of those – you kind of have the momentum, but then it can go either way with a shot or two.
“It was a good fight all day – it could have gone either way. Fortunately for me, it kind of went my way.”
Forgan now holds top spot on the Order of Merit heading into the last event of the series, which will be staged at The Shire London on August 27-28.
