Delight for Finch after snaffling second spot in India

But Finch, who won the New Zealand Open and Irish Open in 2008 before enduring a forgettable 2009, will have taken some comfort from his own runners-up cheque for 166,660 euros after finally rekindling the kind of golf he produced on a regular basis 18 months ago.

In the end, Finch lost out to Australian Andrew Dodt who closed out his maiden European Tour title after carding a final round of 68.

The lead changed hands several times with Finch's spectacular six-under 66 at one point threatening to complete an unexpected triumph.

However, after reaching the turn three-under for the day, Dodt overcame a bogey at the 11th with what eventually proved to be crucial birdies at the 16th and last – the latter coming after he found the sand – to deny Finch.

Finch reached the the turn in 32 having collected five birdies and one bogey. But he could only pick up two more shots down the stretch to eventually finish 13-under.

"I'm really pleased with the result," he said.

"It was good to put a last round together because I started four shots off the lead and there were a lot of people between me and the guys at the top so it was always going to take something special.

"I had a target of 15-under at the start of the day and I got off to a good start and made some headway to get to that score.

"I suppose in the back nine I wasn't really getting close enough to the hole to give myself realistic chances but I was pleased to make a birdie on the last considering I drove it into the bunker off the tee.

"It is nice to get a good result on the board because I have had a frustrating time lately of playing well and not getting the rewards or results. I can hopefully kick on from here.

"I got a bit side tracked technique-wise last year and it didn't really work out for me and it is nice to have a good result at this stage of the year. I have a nice break now so I can go home and then get ready for the rest of the season with a bit of confidence."

Two early birdies saw Richard Bland keep pace at the top of the scoreboard but a bogey at the sixth set him back and although he recovered the shot at the 16th, he had to share third with 49-year-old Barry Lane, Scotland's David Drysdale and Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka.

Harrogate's John Parry – who was in contention after two days – dropped away from contention over the weekend, following up Saturday's third-round score of 75 with a 73 yesterday to finish eight shots behind Dodt.