Victory for Park this week

David Park rounded off the most exciting week of his young life in thrilling fashion with a nail-biting victory in the European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall.

The Welsh rookie, who turned 25 on Friday, lost out a week ago in a marathon play-off in the desert heat of the Moroccan Open to Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin.

But in the rain-soaked conditions of Northumberland, Park went one better to seal a last-gasp victory on the 18th hole against David Carter, and avoid another play-off lottery.

Carter, the South African-born player from Chesterfield, was faced with a six-foot putt for par on the final hole but was inches wide. Park, based in Hereford, had a slightly shorter distance and conquered his nerves to sink his putt.

Not only was it a dream come true for Park, but one he can hardly have expected so quickly after losing the £58,358 winner's purse in Agadir. Indeed after the adrenalin and energy he expended in Morocco, it was expected Park would miss this week's tournament.

He didn't, and he has never made a better decision. Apart from the £108,330 prize money, the Royal and Ancient have given him a place in next month's Open at Carnoustie. The victory also gives the Challenge Tour player a full card and a two-year exemption for the full circuit.

At the start of the final hole, Park and Carter were both sitting 14-under-par - the score on which they started the day - after a final round where their nervousness was increased by South African Retief Goosen, who narrowed the gap to a single stroke.

After having little chance to relax during their round, the pair knew they had to make a par four on the 18th to beat Goosen - he shot seven birdies in his score of 66.

It was exhilarating stuff and a crowd of almost 5,000 braved the weather to watch Park register a spectacular win.

A play-off seemed on the cards when both reached the green until Carter missed a putt he would normally have sank with ease. It meant the 27-year-old narrowly missed adding another title to the Murphy's Irish Open he won last year.

Park will have to give up a portion of his prize money - instead of a sponsor he has a dozen or so far-sighted shareholders who have contributed a substantial amount to his playing costs and will share his winnings in what promises to be a lucrative career.

On hearing of his Open entry, Park said: "I'd better get some practice in, that will be a tough trial. I knew about the exemption and it seems a lot of good news is coming in."

Of his winning shot he added: "It was an uphill putt running left to right. I concentrated on a good putt and it snuck into the corner.

"The course was playing longer today. It's always tricky at the best of times but it was playing a lot tougher today."

Carter - who like his rival of the four days equalled the course record of 65 - said: "I could not believe I missed the putt at the last. I thought it was going into the hole. But it was great playing with David and we had a good rapport today."

The dropped shot meant Carter shared the £72,210 runner-up money with Goosen, which moves the latter to the top of the Volvo Order of Merit with £480,569 ahead of Colin Montgomerie's £473,624