Joe Lyons and Declan O’Neill had to settle for second and third place respectively as they were pipped by Rodrigo Lacerda Soares in a playoff at the European Senior Men’s Championship at Kikuoka Country Club.
The trio ran down Swiss player Andreas Bauer who had a five shot lead heading into the final round.
Soares, Lyons and O’Neill couldn’t be separated after the final 18 holes on three-under-par.
Playing the par-3 10th in front of the clubhouse, all three players made par on the first playoff hole. The second time around, Soares holed a birdie putt to clinch the title in his first appearance in the event.
The gold medal is the second European title the 50-year-old has won having captured the European Mid-Amateur Championship four years ago.
Soares became the first Frenchman to win the European Senior Championship.
Galway’s Lyons claimed the silver medal on a count back with O’Neill taking the bronze after rounds of 70 and 71 respectively.
Douglas’ Karl Bornemann took fifth place on level-par while defending champion Eddie McCormack was tenth on plus two.
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