RICHARD Bland narrowly missed out on his first ever European Tour victory, finishing third at the Avantha Masters.

The Southampton golfer went in to today's final round tied for the lead at the DLF Golf & Country Club, in New Delhi, India.

Despite shooting a one-under-par score this morning, the 37-year-old came up just short.

Bland started the day well, with birdies at the second and fourth.

However, a bogey at the par five sixth knocked him back.

A birdie at 16 took him to 13-under for the tournament and left him just one shot behind leader Andrew Dodt.

But, needing a birdie at the par five last to force a playoff, Bland could only manage a bogey, which saw him slip from second into a tie for third.

Adding salt to the wounds, that dropped shot also cost Bland about 60,000 euros in prize money.

The Stoneham player did pick up a handsome 71,000 euros for his efforts, though.

That sum takes his early season earnings to 128,000 euros and pushes Bland all the way up to 22nd in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Had he parred the last, it would have catapulted Bland into the top 15 on the money list for the season.

But he is still extremely well placed after just six events of his campaign.