Kenneth Ferrie spoke of a "missed opportunity" after a closing 76 ruled him out of contention in the US Open.
After three fine rounds on his tournament debut, the 27-year-old from Ashington was in the final group with America's Phil Mickelson on Sunday.
Ferrie opened with six straight pars, but four bogeys in the next five holes effectively ended his hopes.
Ferrie said: "It might have been a missed opportunity, but I've proved a few things to myself and others."
Ferrie carded a 76 in the final round to finish three shots behind Australian winner Geoff Ogilvy.
"You're not going to shoot level par if you're going to hit it in the rough all day"
But with Jim Furyk, Colin Montgomerie and Mickelson all making a hash of the 18th and Ogilvy winning at five over par, Ferrie was left to ponder what might have been.
"It was one of those days, there wasn't a great deal happening," added Ferrie. "Lots of fairways, lots of greens and a hell of a lot of putts as well. The putts that went in the first three days didn't go in today.
"Hindsight is a great thing. I figured a round about par would have been a good score to shoot to have a chance, and in the end three-over would have been a play-off."
Ferrie's countryman Ian Poulter finished on nine over, but was frustrated at not being able to force a play-off.
"It was hard work," admitted Poulter, who carded a final-round 74. "I missed near enough every fairway and you're not going to shoot level par if you're going to hit it in the rough all day.
"I felt great on the first tee but struggled all day. It was one of those days. I couldn't find the fairway to have a chance to set up a birdie putt."