Joachim B Hansen was proud of his performance as he came within touching distance of a first European Tour victory at the Amundi Open de France.
The Dane has been trending in the right direction in recent weeks, finishing fourth at the Mutuactivos Open de España before securing his best Rolex Series result with a top 25 at last week's Italian Open.
He led by one with two holes to play at Le Golf National on Sunday but a four putt from off the front of the 17th green led to a double bogey and he finished one shot behind winner Nicolas Colsaerts.
Last season's European Challenge Tour Rankings Number One now moves up to 56th on the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex and a step closer to the limited fields for the final three Rolex Series events of the season.
"On the back nine I got excited," he said. "I really got to feel how it is to play for a European Tour tournament inside me.
"The screw-up on 17 was unfortunate, it cost me a chance this week. I'm disappointed now but also really proud of my game today.
"I've been playing well for three weeks now and put myself in good positions. So getting really close this week was really nice but I just also really want that win, you know?"
George Coetzee is a veteran of the right end of the leaderboard on a Sunday, having claimed four European Tour wins in his career.
He led by two after 12 holes but a triple bogey after finding the water twice on the 15th saw him finish a shot behind Hansen in third.
"I was quite happy with the way I played today," he said. "I just had one bad hole. I don't feel that bad because that is one of those holes that you can make a number and I made my number.
"I'm really happy for Nico, he played really well and it means a lot to him."
