In the end it might have come down to a single putt. Simon Lilly, the Kettering pro, pipped Cameron Clark, to the PGA Midland Order of Merit title by the narrowest of margins yesterday in an astonishing denouement to an exciting drama.
Lilly, who went into the Carlsberg Tour Championships at Cold Ashby - the last ranking tournament of the season - trailing Clark by 155 points eventually edged the Scotsman by just 15 points and he thinks it came down to his birdie on the last hole.
Clark, who looked to have a comfortable lead in the rankings going into the tournament, finished on four under par, his score good enough only for joint 11th place on the day.
Lilly, who had three second place finishes in Order of Merit events to Clark's two victories, just edged ahead finishing tied sixth on six under par, enough to qualify him for the end-of-season Srixon PGA Play-Offs.
"I played OK today," added Lilly. "I missed only one green in regulation but was not hitting it close enough to make many birdies. I was getting it to 25 or 30 feet all the time but not making any putts. I birdied the last which has made the difference and got me the Order of Merit."
The knife-edge conclusion to a long season overshadowed the eventual tournament winner - Daniel Greenwood, of Forest Pines, who shot a closing round 73 to finish 12 under par and claim the final "major" title of the season.
"That's just the way it goes," said a philosophical Clark after seeing the crown snatched from his grasp at the death.
Lilly was as surprised as he was delighted at his victory which as Midland No 1 will win him an invitation to play in next year's PGA Championship at Wentworth.
"The problem I had was whatever five tournaments I played had to count. Although I hadn't won, I finished second three times.
"It is a shame for Cameron because he has won twice and has played better than I have this year but I just edged it by 15 points," added Lilly.
Another surprise late surge saw Paul Wesselingh, the Kedleston Park pro and captain of the Midland PGA, sneak the third spot in the play-offs.
His eight-under-par 205 saw him tie fourth with Kenilworth's James Crompton which was enough to steal a march on Hinckley's Jason Powell.
Wesselingh, at 47 a relative veteran compared to the emerging young blood on the PGA circuit had won the second OOM event - The Invitational - at South Staffordshire back in June but was surprised to have clinched the third play-off place.
"I was not expecting that this year but as the year went on I started playing better but just can't believe I have made it into the play-offs," he said.
"I would have been happy with top ten. I am aware that I am getting a lot older and the lads coming through seem to be getting younger so I am just delighted. South Staffs kicked it off and then I came third at my own course [the PDF Midland Masters] and then a couple of bad ones so I am delighted.
"I played brilliantly today and only had one little hiccup - a double-bogey on 16 where I chipped to the wrong side of the flag and three-putted from four foot. At that point I thought I had blown it but just stuck in and had four more birdies and was OK.
"Hoylake will suit me... it's not long but you have to be very straight which what I am. Any of the 21 people could get it."
While Greenwood was delighted to have won only the second OOM tournament of his career, Nick Soto, of Northamptonshire County, finished second with 11-under-par 202 total for 54 holes with Craig Shave, of Whetstone, a shot further back.
Greenwood said: "I was nervous today but got off to a good start with a birdie. I bogeyed the third, missed a couple of short putts for birdie in a few holes, threw in a three putt in on seven to turn one over and felt good, parred a few, but had a three putt on 15 for a bogey and then parred the rest."
Simple, but Greenwood, had held a commanding six stroke lead going into the last round yesterday after rounds of 62 and 66 - the first of which would have been a course record but for placements on the fairways - admitted to being over cautious trying to protect his lead yesterday.
"It was difficult because you can't fire at the flags because it would be silly to but then you are always leaving yourself 20-30 footers and a chance of three putting. It's a funny feeling and I've never been there. I would probably do it differently if I could do it again and shoot at more flags".