It wasn’t the ending he wanted but once again Scotland international Connor Graham proved his undoubted class with a runner-up finish at the French Boys.
The 16-year-old, who finished second at The Lytham Trophy last year before going to win the R&A Junior Open, finished third in qualifying at Le Golf National and battled brilliantly into the 36-hole final where he met home player Louis Anceaux.
Graham then led for most of the day but was taken into extra time before a bogey at the 39th cost the Blairgowrie star.
He said: “It was quite frustrating, especially as I was up for most of the match.
“Overall though I was quite happy with my game and was consistent all tournament. I played well in all the knock-out matches.”
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The two boys met in the last 16 of this year’s Spanish Amateur and Graham looked on course to gain revenge as he went three up on the 21st.
However six holes later they were all square before a bogey on the 10th (28th) from Anceaux let his opponent retake the lead.
Back-to-back bogeys from the Scot on 13 and 14 meant he fell behind for the first time but he responded with a birdie at the par five 15th and a stunning eagle at the short par four 16th (34th), Graham driving the green and holing out from 25 feet to go one up.
At the par three 17th both finalists came up short with their tee shots and then chipped to 15 feet before the French ace sunk his par effort while his opponent just missed.
With the 18th halved in pars they went back to the first and both found the green in regulation before two putting. At the par five second, they halved in birdies, Graham getting up and down for his four, but he let things slip at the 39th.
Earlier in the matchplay stages he saw off fellow Scot Samuel Mukherjee in round one (3&2) after falling behind early and, later that day, was behind for most of his match with England Boys player Jack Lee but reached the last eight at the second extra hole.
In the quarter-finals against Italian Giovanni Binaghi he was five up after six before eventually sealing the deal on the 14th and then in the semi-finals was never behind as he saw off Swede Simon Hovdal on the 18th.
On Thursday and Friday Graham posted scores of 69 and 70 to qualify in third for the knock-out stages. He was one of seven Brits to make it through but the only one to go beyond the last 16.
His next international date is the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande (April 19-22) where he and his brother Gregor, alongside Gregor Tait and Matthew Wilson, will represent Scotland in the 72-hole stroke play tournament.
The impressive teenager is also part of the 19-man Walker Cup training squad and is targeting selection for the St Andrews showpiece later this year. His other major aim for 2023 is earning selection for European team which will take part in the Junior Ryder Cup team in September.