Sweden's Pierre Fulke became the 12th first time winner on the European Tour this season when he won the Trophee Lancome at St-Nom-La-Breteche with a closing 25-foot birdie putt.
The 28-year-old, three times a runner-up, edged out Spaniard Ignacio Garrido after European number one Colin Montgomerie had let another chance to win slip away. Fulke closed with a four-under 67 for a total of 270, 14 under par.
The Scot, chasing a record-equalling sixth European Tour title of the season, led entering the final nine holes, but finished joint third with Mansfield's Greg Owen and another Spaniard, Santiago Luna.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, the overnight leader, shot a 74 to finish joint tenth while another Ryder Cup rookie, Jarmo Sandelin shot a closing 69 to finish joint sixth in the eve of his debut at The Country Club, Brookline, next week.
