BLACKWOOD'S Bradley Dredge, pictured, was left cursing a lost ball as he finished one shot off winning the Italian Open in Sardinia yesterday.

Dredge put his drive at the fifth into some bushes and his lost ball meant he double-bogeyed the hole, dropping two shots he never regained.

But it was the only problem in an otherwise flawless four rounds of golf where Dredge scored four rounds under 70, finishing on 269, 19-under par.

The second placed finish, and the £69,000 prize money, rocketed Dredge 36 places up the Volvo Order of Merit from 107th to 71st.

"I really wanted to win," said Dredge, whose earnings for the year now total an impressive £269,000.

"But my main aim was to retain my card, so this was a bit of a bonus. It's my best finish so I have to be pleased, especially as I wasn't hitting the ball well today."

Already guaranteed his tour card for next year, Dredge had viewed the Italian Open as his last chance to achieve his goal of winning a tournament.

Having come close to winning on several occasions this year - he was fifth in Dubai and also fifth at Slaley Hall - Dredge was desperate to convert that form into a win.

"Italy was my last chance to grab a win," he said. "But I also wanted to finish higher than 107th, and to do that is a nice way to finish the season."

Dredge finished alone in second place, one shot back from eventual winner Gregory Havret of France and one head of the third-placed Mark Roe and last year's winner Ian Poulter.

Roe's third placed guaranteed him a card for next year, which looked unlikely when he started the day seven shots back in 13th place.

But a flawless 66 moved him up the rankings and gave him his card.

"That was fun today, but it hasn't changed my viewpoint about playing less golf next year," said Roe, who can now have his pick of events next season in what he insists will be his 18th and last on tour.

"My priorities lie at home with my wife and children, that is going to be the case for the rest of my life, but I'm a very happy bunny at the moment.

"The most important thing was that there was pressure out there today and I stood up to it and played well.

"I felt I had my chances out there and really during the whole of play I wasn't looking at anything other than getting a total that might win the tournament.

"That is the best performance of the year by a long stretch. I've had an incredibly frustrating season. I've made 16 cuts, but the best I've finished before today is 22nd.

"There have been many times I played well but not holed putts."