AMAZING: Mardan birdied three of the last four holes to card his best-ever finish on European soil.

Singapore's top golfer had missed successive cuts and failed to score sub-par rounds for the past two weekends in Britain.

He was tied for 111th at the May 24-27 BMW European PGA Championship in Wentworth, and joint-91st at the May 17-20 Nissan Irish Open in Adare.

In fact, the 40-year-old had never made a cut on European soil in his 13-year professional career.

With frustration and travelling costs building up, he wanted to go home.

His wife, Naz, however, would not let him.

Thank goodness.

'She is always my best supporter,' said Mardan on Sunday, after his spectacular come-from-behind joint-second finish at the Celtic Manor Wales Open in Newport.

'I almost withdrew from the tournament, but she was the one who convinced me to play, so she is the one I have to give the credit to.'

Starting the final round five strokes off the lead, he fired eight birdies against an opening bogey to surge up the leaderboard with a tournament-low, seven-under 62.

He finished on 12-under 264 with Welshman Bradley Dredge (67) and Danes Soren Kjeldsen (65) and Mads Vibe-Hastrup (66).

South Africa's Richard Sterne won on 263 after a closing 65.

Mardan pocketed a runners-up pay cheque of 147,215.20 euros (S$303,000) - the biggest of his career.

He won S$270,000 for his first European Tour victory at last year's Singapore Masters at Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

Mardan, who had started the day tied for 23rd place on 202, said at the post-round press conference: 'I am very happy with my performance today. I putted and hit the ball very well.

'My concentration was very good, and I am doubly happy because this is the first cut I have made in Europe.'

On an incredible final afternoon, it was all drama and tension on the Roman Road course.

A play-off looked a certainty, with a dozen players in a position to win at one stage.

Mardan was making his move.

He said: 'On the 14th tee, I said to myself, 'I am going to play the last five holes in an amazing way'.

'I don't know why I thought that, but I just felt that the last five holes were going to be unforgettable for me if I wanted to win this tournament.'

Amazing, indeed.

On the par-three 15th, he hit a six-iron to eight feet and holed for birdie.

He reached the green at the 529-yard par-five 16th in two, and two-putted for birdie.

Then, on the par-four 17th, he sank a thirty-footer for - you guessed it - a third straight birdie.

'Not too bad,' according to Mardan. But that was the end of the streak.

On the par-four 18th, he struck a driver into the fairway bunker, played a seven-iron to the front of the green, then pitched 12 feet past the cup.

As he holed the putt for par, some loud cheers erupted round the 18th green. He hugged his caddie as though he had won.

Did he think he had a chance?

'I don't know. If God helps me, then I will have this tournament,' he said, before heading to the range to warm up for a possible play-off.

Sterne and Dredge, though, made his practice redundant.

Minutes after Dredge went 13 under at the 17th, Sterne rolled in a five-foot putt on the last.

Then Dredge found the fairway bunker with his drive on the 18th, pitched short and failed to save par.

The title and the 368,812-euros winner's cheque was Sterne's. Mardan had to settle for joint-second.

Yesterday, local golfers saluted the Singaporean's feat.

Fellow pro M. Murugiah said: 'I'm happy for him. He's been trying for a long time now.'

The Republic's No 2 Lam Chih Bing added: 'I thought he could have a decent finish, but for him to almost win, it inspires me.'

Mardan's long-time mentor A.C. Wong, Jurong Country Club's captain, spoke to the golfer before he left three weeks ago.

'He told me he was just going there for the experience. I believe he surprised even himself with the second place,' he said.

Yesterday, upon touching down, Mardan called Wong and told him that he would be taking his family to Koh Samui for this week's Bangkok Airways Open.

'He's happy he made some good money,' said Wong. 'He offered to take me too, but I have no time.'

Mardan could not be reached for comment.

jwang@sph.com.sg