DAVID Howell was left to rue a costly bogey on the 20th hole of his semi-final at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play as he finished third in Aberdeen.

The Swindon star defeated Scotsman Marc Warren by one hole to triumph in the third/fourth place play-off but it could have been so much more at Murcar Links.

Two-time Ryder Cup star Howell had fought back from being 3-down with six holes to play in his semi-final against Robert Karlsson only for the Swede to triumph at the second extra hole.

Four birdies in five holes around the turn gave Karlsson a seemingly decisive lead but he bogeyed the 13th and then saw Howell hole an extraordinary long birdie putt with 10 feet of break on the 16th.

A par on the 17th was enough for Broome Manor pro Howell to get back on level terms and Karlsson then missed from four feet for par to win on the 18th.

The former Ryder Cup team-mates both made par on the first extra hole and another par on the 20th gave Karlsson victory after Howell failed to get up and down from over the green.

“Although Robert played well early on, to lose in a play-off is always frustrating and I made a mistake to do that, so that was all the more annoying,” said Howell.

“But it has been great fun. You can play weeks on end on the Tour without having that crucial moment where you’ve got to hit a good shot or hole the putt to win.

“In match play you get them every day and every hole. It’s been a great week and the players have really enjoyed it.”

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat won the event with a 1-up victory over Karlsson in the final, having earlier beaten Warren 3&2 in their last-four clash.