DORSET’S Kevin Spurgeon had mixed feelings after his bumper pay day in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at a gusty Royal Porthcawl yesterday.

The 54-year-old Ferndown touring professional earned 9,999 Euros for finishing in a share of 14th place on four over par after rounds of 72, 73 and 75.

“It’s always pleasing to do well in the big tournaments,” said Spurgeon, who picked up 2,000 Euros more than he won for finishing fourth in Jersey the previous week.

“My confidence is growing and I can’t wait to get to the next tournament. I feel I am getting a little closer to winning my first tournament.”

But Spurgeon’s delight was marred by two double bogey sixes on the homeward stretch of his final round, starting on the 10th.

“It was my only bad tee shot of the week and it proved costly,” explained Spurgeon.

“I could only chop it out of the thick rough and then chipped up and three-putted.”

The six took the wind out of Spurgeon’s sails. At the time he had been one under par on the day and level for the tournament.

“I lost a little concentration,” admitted Spurgeon, who overhit the 12th green from just 30 yards to drop another shot before three-putting the 15th for another double bogey.

But Spurgeon finished on a high note when he birdied the 410-yard last hole to secure his fourth top-20 finish of the season.

The runaway winner was South African Bertus Smit who picked up a cheque for 88,234 Euros after a closing round 69 secured him a five-under-par 211 total.

The only other player to finish in red figures was runner-up David Merriman who carded a level par round yesterday for a one-under-par total.

Home favourite Ian Woosnam was one of four players to finish tied third on level par.

The next European Senior Tour event is The De Vere Collection PGA Championship at Slaley Hall on Thursday.