FAVOURITE David Dixon mounted an amazing comeback against bold challenger Dan Carter in a tense, dramatic head-to-head finale to win the Players Championship at Cumberwell Park by one shot, writes PETER GODSIFF.

The European Tour man from Enmore Park held a one-shot lead over the 29-year-old Wiltshireman from Upavon after opening with seven-under-par 64 in favourable conditions.

But Carter, from Avebury, proved a formidable opponent. Both shot one-under-par 70 on the final day on a warm, sunny but windy day.

In the Lansdown Mazda-supported event Dixon was overtaken after opening with two bogeys.

A wild tee-shot at the drivable tenth cost him another as Carter extended his lead to four with birdies at the first and eighth.

Although Dixon’s revival started with a birdie at the 11th, a two-shot swing at the 15th changed everything.

He slotted home a 12-foot birdie putt to reduce the gap to one as Carter three-putted.

They drew level when Carter missed another three-footer for bogey at the 16th.

Dixon almost drove the 310-yard 17th and made what proved to be the winning birdie after Carter failed from ten feet.

Dixon, who took the £1,900 prize said: “Even though I was four behind I simply kept trying and knew there were birdie chances to come. You can never lose heart. I did show extra aggression on the last few holes.

"Dan played really solid but the turning point was at 15. Had he made that short putt I think he would have won.”

Carter’s consolation was his biggest cheque for £1,425 on the best day of his career.

“These things happen,” he reflected on what might have been.

“I was bogey-free until the 15th and felt on top of my game. Dave is a quality player and I think the turning point was the 14th when he reversed his club from an impossible place to make a wonderful up and down.

“Playing so well has given me great confidence for the PGA Championship at The Oxfordshire next week.”

Although former European Tour regular Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) merely observed the drama, he also shot 70 to finish four shots behind and share third place in his best Order of Merit showing for some time.

His good friend Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), whom he coaches, also finished third after 69 while 67 from Paul Jones (Ashley Wood) was the best round of the day.

He made five of his seven birdies over the first seven holes. His real mistake was in under-clubbing at the short 16th when he found water and made double bogey.

While Order of Merit leader Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) and defending champion Adam Frayne (Yelverton) failed to master the wind, course specialist Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre) claimed sixth to join Thompson at the top of the OOM.

Hendriksen slipped to third while Dixon, having only played in two of the three events so far – he was fourth in the Total Triumph at Oake Manor – climbs to fourth.

Ali James, general manager of the impressive Cumberwell Park complex which extends to 45 holes next month, said: “This event has becomes one of our major fixtures and we were again delighted with the success of both the Championship and the pro-am which drew record entries and generous sponsorship.”