Romero revels in Scottish dream

Romero took victory just short of his 48th birthday

Colin Moffat BBC Sport Online at Loch Lomond

Eduardo Romero became the third oldest winner on the European Tour with victory at the Barclays Scottish Open just three days short of his 48th birthday.

And the wily Argentine certainly made all of his experience pay off during a tense finish at Loch Lomond, where he sunk a birdie putt at the first play-off hole after tying with Fredrik Jacobson on 273 - 11 under par.

Romero denies Jacobson

"I am like a father to some of the players today, I'm so old," said a delighted Romero.

Only Des Smyth and Neil Coles have triumphed at a riper age than the South American.

It was Romero's eighth win in Europe and he can boast some 83 victories on his home continent.

Jacobson could not match his play-off opponent

He has also never lost a play-off, having previously pipped Seve Ballesteros for the 1991 Spanish Open.

In contrast, Jacobson, who led until the 71st hole on Sunday, has never won.

"I could see my opponent shaking over putts, but that is normal. He was feeling big pressure," Romero commented.

"Winning in Scotland was my dream and my dream has come true," announced Romero during his acceptance speech.

He compared the home of golf to his home country.

"Scotland feels like home. It's like Argentina with the mountains and lakes and the people are fantastic."

Having collected his winner's cheque for £366,660, Romero cracked a joke at the expense of his home nation's fragile economy.

"Maybe now I can buy the country," he laughed.

Romero has now earned more than £5m on the European Tour and has moved up to third on the Order of Merit with season's takings of more than £1m already.

I had it pretty much in control but I got nervous over the last three or four holes

Fredrik Jacobson

Jacobson was clearly disappointed to finish as a runner-up for the sixth time in his career.

"That was the best chance I've ever had to win a tournament," he groaned.

"I had it pretty much in control but I got nervous over the last three or four holes.

"I didn't see much of the back nine at all to be honest, it was all kind of in a fog."

The Swede appeared to have luck on his side when he was given two free drops after finding trouble at the 16th and salvaging par.

"I thought that might be a sign that it was my day," said Jacobson.

"But I just made a terrible three putt at 17. I think I played alright at the 18th and in the play-off.

"I suppose I can think nobody beat me over 72 holes, it was just Eduardo produced a great birdie at the play-off hole so all credit to him."