Doug Arnold's bid to add the European crown to the England Seniors Championship he regained a fortnight ago finished in a six-hole play-off at Biarritz.
Despite trailing by eight strokes on the final day, the Copthorne master fired a 67 to total 216 and thrust his way into a three way shoot-out.
On the second day, Arnold suffered from stomach cramps and dizzy spells which accounted for a 75 following an opening 74.
He said: 'Not only was I feeling groggy but the temperatures had shot through the roof and people were being taken to hospital with heat stroke."
That explained Arnold going from two under to five over in 11 holes but on the final day a cool breeze was much more to his liking and Arnold's 67 was the best of the tournament by three shots.
A Spaniard dropped out after the first hole of the play-off, then it was neck and neck between Arnold and David Smith of Scotland.
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