Phillip Price almost threw away the European Open title at Straffan, Ireland, when he missed a two-foot putt at the 17th hole on Sunday but recovered with a birdie at the last to win by one stroke.

　　From the back of the green at the long 18th, he chipped down to two feet and this time made no mistake to win with a two-under-par round of 70.

　　Price finished with a 16-under-par total of 272. Alastair Forsyth of Scotland and Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe shared second place one stroke behind after rounds of 68, with Gary Evans of England alone in fourth place, also after a 68.

　　The Welshman, who either led or tied for the lead after each round, took a three-shot advantage over five players into the final 18. Darren Clarke briefly caught him with an eagle at the fourth but fell away with three successive bogeys from the sixth. He made 71 for 276 and a share of fifth place.

　　Price, who beat Phil Mickelson during Europe's Ryder Cup victory last year, looked to be in control as he stretched his lead to three again. But he betrayed his nerves with bogeys at the 14th and 17th.

　　"This is a big one. This is nice." It also earned him almost US,000.