Harpenden Common’s Rob Leonard was pipped to the Bishop’s Stortford Classic title on the second extra hole.

First-year PGA trainee James Webber holed an 18-foot birdie putt at the second hole of extra time to deny experienced Leonard victory.

The pair had finished with identical scores for regulation play, firing rounds of 70 and 71 (Leonard) for respective one-under-par totals of 141.

After the duo both halved the first play-off hole, they made their way to the daunting par-three 17th, which was measuring just over 200 yards with wind hurting off the right.

Webber – a former England amateur international – pulled a shot right out of the top drawer. He hit a fizzing five-iron at a back flag on a long green, landing inside 20 feet.

Leonard answered with an excellent iron of his own and duly followed up with a fine lag putt to within inches.

But Webber knocked in his birdie putt to snatch the win away from his opponent.

Leonard’s excellent performance once again proved the adage, beware the ailing golfer.

The Hertfordshire golfer was unwell on the eve of the tournament but led down the stretch until back-to-back birdies from Webber at 14 and 15.

A Webber bogey at the last triggered the playoff but his putt on the 38th green meant Leonard had to be content with second spot.

Leonard said: “It was disappointing at the end but I’m fairly happy to come second. I’d have taken that at the start of the week. To be honest, I didn’t even get out of bed all day on Tuesday as I was ill with a little cold.”