DORSET pair Graham Howell and Lee Thompson were pipped to the post in the Woodbury Park pro-am.
Ferndown Forest’s Howell and Dudsbury’s Thompson led briefly on 67 but Downes Crediton professional Barry Austin triumphed with a seven-under-par 66.
Howell made an eagle and six birdies while Thompson made five of his eight birdies in a faultless back nine of 31.
Austin was out in 33 after gains at the second and sixth and an eagle at the ninth.
Four straight birdies saw him move to eight-under after 14 holes before carding his only bogey at the par-five 16th.
A two-time order of merit winner, Austin’s victory was his third in four pro-ams this season.
Lee Corfield (Burnham & Berrow) picked up five shots on the way out and added two more but a double bogey at the 17th proved his downfall.
He shared fourth with Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury), the only leading player not to drop a shot in two halves of 34.
George Ryall (Worlebury), Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge), Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) and Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) shared sixth place on 69.
Ryan Pope (Exeter) led Steve Westaway, Simon House and Devon county star Harrison Greenbury to top spot in the team event on 20-under-par.
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