SALISBURY'S Gary Emerson had to settle for the runners-up spot in the Galeria Kaufhof Pokal Challenge in Germany yesterday after a thrilling duel with Welshman Garry Houston.

The 40-year-old, two behind leader John Mellor overnight, carded his fourth sub-70 round of the European Challenge Tour event with a closing 69 to finish on 17 under par.

But he was pegged back by Houston, whose 66 in the third round was followed up by a final day 65 to tie the scores and take the contest into a play-off.

Emerson, who lost his European Tour card last season, was chasing his second Challenge Tour title following his win at the Netcom Norwegian Open in 1998.

But the momentum was with Houston and he took the trophy in a dramatic four-hole sudden-death play-off.

Emerson twice holed from six feet to stay alive - this after shaving the hole with what would have been a winning chip - before finding the bunker on the fourth extra hole.

From there, he just missed his up and down, leaving Houston a tap-in for the title, but Emerson still moved to 38th on the rankings with a cheque for 12,100 euros.

He said: "You win some you lose some, and at the end of the day, Garry has played brilliantly to shoot 65 in the last round and take it to a play-off.

"I'm pleased to get some money on the rankings and it's more than likely I'll now concentrate on the Challenge Tour for the rest of the season, as it's the best way back to The European Tour.

Meanwhile, Jean-Francois Remesy became the first home winner of the French Open for 35 years at Le Golf National near Paris yesterday as Hampshire duo Matthew Blackey and Justin Rose finished down the field.

With a closing 72, 40-year-old Remesy won by a massive seven strokes from Australian left-handers Nick O'Hern and Richard Green despite opening his round with a double-bogey after driving into water.

Green turned just one shot adrift but was five-over par coming home.

Blackey finished with a best-of-the-week 71 for a share of 46th place at nine over while Rose was second to last on 15 over after another torrid day.

The pair were last night flying back to England and heading to Sunningdale for 36 holes of Open Championship Final Qualifying today - along with Emerson, who at least is in form and eyeing a top-15 finish to make the line-up at Royal Troon next month.