A LATE lapse cost Lee James a place in the final two rounds of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland this weekend.

The Parkstone-based player missed the level-par qualifying mark by just one stroke after a second-round 73 yesterday.

James, who began the day one-under-par, looked destined for his second successive pay day before disaster struck on the final few holes.

"I was two under par with seven holes to play and was still okay with two left despite dropping three shots," explained James.

"I can accept a bogey on the 16th because it is a tough par three, but there are no excuses for the one at the 17th.

"I found the middle of the fairway from the tee and only had a 90-yard shot in but left it short."

It left James a testing 55-foot putt from the fringe with an eight-foot swing.

"The greens are like upturned saucers and my putt just missed the hole before shooting 15-foot past," added James, who faced an anxious wait to see if he had done enough to make the cut.

"I was still hopeful of qualifying because scoring was difficult in a two-club wind, but I always knew it was going to be a slim chance."

Overnight leader Rory McIlroy carded a level-par 71 to share top spot in the clubhouse with Brett Rumford on eight-under-par.

James, meanwhile, will take a week's rest before playing the Kazakhstan Open on September 18-21.