Keith Macdonald came within a whisker of winning his first European Seniors Tour event when losing on the second play-off hole in the Scottish Seniors Open.

At The Roxburghe, he trailed American David Oakley by three shots going into the last round. A birdie at the 16th by dint of a drive and five iron to within three feet put the Goodwood pro level with playing partner Oakley.

At the 18th, Oakley had to hole a tricky right-to-left downhill putt of eight feet to tie Macdonald who had played the hole to perfection. Both finished on 210.

They re-visited the 18th for the first extra hole that was halved in regulation but next time Macdonald's drive finished in a bunker and up against the lip and Oakley's par was good enough to take the £24,950 winner's cheque.

As runner-up Macdonald received £16,665 which sees him 13th in the order of merit. It was not the biggest amount he has pocketed on his first senior tour season - he collected £23,250 for fourth place in the Wales Open. Altogether the 51 year-old Macdonald has earned £56,732 and shows no sign of losing his grip.

Now comes a busy finish to the season. He said: "I spend as much time as I can at the club and I am very appreciative of the members being so supportive."

Meanwhile, Paul Lyons, the Sussex Open champion from Sweetwoods Park, shot an eight under par 64 to win the Paul Hurring Memorial pro-am at Chartham Park to win by two strokes from Charlie Giddins (Hastings). Tour pro Jamie Spence supported the event and had a one under 71.

Other Sussex scores 70 David Mills (Seaford).

71 Tim Spence (Battle); Mark Dowdell (Shillinglee Park); Ryan Fenwick (Bognor); Jamie Spence (Euro Tour); Steve Fenn (Ifield).

73 Ben Lovell (Horsham GP).

74 Jason Partridge (Piltdown).

75 Alan Harrison (Royal Eastbourne); Calum Callan (Cottesmore).

77 Kevin Hinton (Holtye); Stewart Crooks (Hassocks).

78 Sam Wood (West Hove).