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Despite third heartbreak loss, Foster believes he can end victory drought

By PA Sport
Published on
Despite third heartbreak loss, Foster believes he can end victory drought

Mark Foster insists there is "better to come" following his Johnnie Walker Championship heartbreak.

Foster was three shots ahead with eight holes to play and one ahead standing on the final tee.

However, he drove into the trees at the last on his way to a bogey 6 before losing out in a five-man, five-hole play-off at Gleneagles -- with Thomas Bjorn eventually securing the crown.

For Foster it was another case of so close, yet so far -- having led three of his four previous events and not gone on to end his eight-year wait for a second European Tour title.

"I honestly felt like I made a good swing off 18 the first time around. It's just a game of fractions, you know," said Foster, who won his first crown at the 2003 Dunhill Championship. "I just needed a break. I've just got to keep going.

"I've not had one putt in 36 holes (his eagle on the ninth was a chip-in) and lost in a playoff, so the golf I'm playing is second to none really," he explained. "You wait all day, you make a birdie in a playoff and two other people make one. It's the game.

"I'm not going home with my tail between my legs," he said. "I think there's better to come."

Bjorn believes Foster can carry on his remarkable form to finally end his drought.

"I spoke to him just now and Mark is having probably his best year on tour," said Bjorn. "All he's got to do is not lose sight of that. I think we had probably one of most popular winners last week in Oliver Fisher and Mark would have been equally as popular.

"Both are very good guys. We have all been there when you had the chance to win and you don't," he added. "You've just got to draw on all the good things. He played wonderful golf this week and he's had a great year.

"Getting himself into positions, one will go your way and then once you start winning it becomes easier to win," he explained. "He's got a hurdle there he's got to get over, but he'll get there."