Dean Robertson enjoyed a dramatic and emotional return to the winner's podium as he captured the Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship in a play-off.
The 35-year-old, who lost two years of his career to clinical depression and last tasted 72-hole success in the European Tour's Italian Open back in 1999, pipped Stirling's Craig Lee to the £8,800 top prize at the second extra-hole after both players had finished locked on 17-under aggregates of 275.
Robertson, who closed with a level-par 73, trundled in a 30-foot birdie putt in the sudden-death shoot-out to clinch the win but admitted he feared his title hopes had disintegrated during a wretched start to his round which saw him spill five shots on the first seven holes.
"I had a terrible start and it was hard going," said Robertson, who became the first player to win both the Scottish Amateur and Professional titles since Sandy Steven followed up amateur success with the the pro crown in 1988. "I was struggling to find any rhythm and had to dig deep to try and compose myself.
"I went into a little toilet hut near the 12th tee for a quick break. I washed my face and looked in the mirror and told myself to 'come on and forget what's gone on so far'.
"I really got going after that and I'm so delighted to have won. This is an emotional moment for me and it's a huge boost to my confidence."
Lee, two strokes behind overnight, swiftly found himself at the top of the leaderboard as he picked up a couple of birdies on the opening three holes while Robertson stumbled to a pair of bogeys.
By the 13th, Lee was three shots ahead and seemingly on course for the title but Robertson mounted a spirited late rally and hauled himself back to the front. After Lee had spilled a shot at the 14th to see his lead cut to two, Robertson fashioned birdies at 15, 16 and 17 to edge into a one stroke lead playing the last. The destination of the championship took another twist on the 18th as Lee holed a 20 foot birdie putt to force the play-off but it was in vain as Robertson emerged triumphant.
"I thought I'd maybe done enough after 13 holes but Dean produced a great run and really upped the pace," admitted Lee, who consoled himself with the runners-up prize of £6,600. "It's disappointing but I've had a great week and I'm delighted with the way I have performed here."
Andy Oldcorn, the 2001 Volvo PGA champion, gave himself a much-needed confidence boost ahead of this week's BMW International in Munich as he posted his best score of the tournament, a four-under 69, for an eight-under 284 to share third.
"Things got better for me as the tournament went on," admitted Oldcorn, who had arrived at Gleneagles on the back of a miserable run of eight successive missed cuts on the European Tour. "I came here looking for a bit of encouragement I've got that this week. I'm slowly beginning to find something positive in my game again and that gives me a boost ahead of the trip to Germany."
Oldcorn finished alongside a posse of players including former PGA Assistants' champion David Orr who was left cursing a bogey on the 18th which cost him third place on his own and a much-needed cheque for over £2,000.
The East Renfrewshire pro, who drives a taxi in Glasgow to help fund his golf career, slithered to a closing 76 and lamented: "I missed a few putts early on which meant I had to chase it and I then I started to make a few mistakes.
"The bogey at the last was an expensive one and has cost me a few quid. It was a frustrating day and a bit disappointing."
Greig Hutcheon, a former Scottish PGA champion, recovered from spilling four shots on the first four holes to shoot a 73 for his eight-under total while Scott Henderson, the 1997 European Tour rookie of the year, joined the log-jam in a share of third after a 72 left him on the 284 mark.