HINDSIGHT is an exact but very unhelpful science - as Aldwark Manor professional Phil Harrison knows only too well.

Harrison, and partner Martyn Long, came within a whisker of landing the Lombard Trophy in Portugal this week as they were beaten in a sudden death play-off for the title.

But Harrison was not ruing his decision to "go for it" with a difficult putt on the decisive third hole of the showdown with Dorset pairing Graham Howell and Paul Fowell.

"Their pro (Howell) had hit his second to within seven feet of the hole and I had a long downhill putt to make a birdie three," explained Harrison.

"I decided I just had to go for the birdie to tie the hole, thinking that he would sink his putt comfortably.

"As it was I charged mine past by a good few feet only for him to miss. Sadly I could not make it and we came second.

"It was a shame as I had putted so well throughout the competition, but equally if you have told us before we started that we would finish second we would both have settled for that."

It was the fifth time in six years that the destination of the Lombard Trophy, Europe's biggest pro-am tournament, was settled by a sudden-death play-off at the San Lorenzo course on Portugal's Algarve.

The final glory went to the nine-hole Sturminster Marshall club at Wimborne with professional Howell and his 12-handicap amateur partner Fowell, just having the edge in a thrilling climax to the 36-hole tournament.

Both pairs were tied for the lead as they both played the 18th hole on the second day - and thanks to the amateurs' net birdies meant a deadlock at 14-under-par 130.

After halving the 494-yard first extra hole in birdie fours, Harrison was matched by Fowell's net four - and a further share of the par-three second, the Dorset pro put the pressure on Harrison at the 334-yard third by firing a wedge to seven feet.

Harrison, 20 feet away, raced his birdie effort five feet, Howell missed his after his amateur had secured the par, and the Yorkshire pro then missed his only putt of the day - and the trophy was heading to the south of England.

For 29-year-old Howell his £5,000 prize was his best cheque by more than £2,000, but Harrison was satisfied enough with his £4,000 reward - both amateurs received commemorative crystal bowls.

"We had to be really happy with the way we played," said Harrison.

"We were lying sixth after the first round having shot a six under par 66 and then to follow that up with an eight under 64 and force the play-off was marvellous.

"It is the biggest pro-am event about and to play on one of the best courses in Europe is fantastic, so I don't think either myself or Martyn were too upset by the final outcome."

In fact Harrison was backing the experience to be the making of his partner and that his handicap of 16 would soon be coming under review.

"Having had to battle through club qualifiers and then regional finals just to get here it had been a big challenge for Martyn," said Harrison.

"You have to remember that the finals were a big ordeal for the amateurs.

"To be out their playing in front of crowds on a testing course was something a lot of them had never experienced before.

"I sensed that Martyn was a little nervy about playing such company early on, but the experience has probably been a really eye opener for him.

"It could have destroyed him, but I think he just got to a point where he thought "I am just going to enjoy this" and once he was relaxed then he played some very good golf.

"It can only do his game a world of good and I couldn't believe that he handled everything so well."

The odds-on favourites were the pairing from Derbyshire's Kedleston Park.

They were inspired by their professional, former European Tour winner David Russell, who fired six birdies in their 11-under total as they shot a record 61 in the first round, but the pairing carded a final round score ten strokes worse and slipped to third place.

It was the sixth year of sponsorship by Lombard and during that time almost half a million amateur players have taken part in the competition, which involved this year 1,200 clubs throughout Britain and Ireland.

Thirsk and Northallerton members David Williamson and John Raper were top of the pile in the opening Harrogate Allaince fixture at Starbeck.

They pipped Pannal professional David Padgett and Henry Dean following a card play-off.

The opening meeting in the Hull and District 10-fixture winter season was won by Hessle duo Neville Kingswood and Terry Peterson.

They edged out Arthur Bradley and Ian Bell of host club Springhead Park.