VICTORY at the first extra hole of a sudden death play-off saw Jeremy Robinson crowned Regal Golf British Professional Short Course champion on Wednesday.

It was a far cry from last Thursday at Woburn where four missed putts for birdie from eight feet or less ended the Evesham player's hopes of success at Woburn in the Victor Chandler British Masters.

Robinson fired a four-under par score of 50 for the opening 18 holes at Nailcote Hall on Tuesday to lead by two shots, but a bogey and 17 pars the next afternoon allowed Brian Rimmer (Trentham Park) to level matters at four-under for the tournament.

The 34-year-old, who is having a miserable time on the European Tour, kept his nerve to par the opening play-off hole and take the £5,000 prize.

"I played well the first day when I did something to try and correct my putting problems and it obviously worked," said a delighted Robinson.

The notoriously difficult Warwickshire course again proved a real test - only eight players bettered par - but Robinson was more than happy to receive his prize in traditional style, 5,000 pound coins carried on to the green in a wheelbarrow!

Robinson's latest Tour appearance on the Duke's course at Woburn saw him claw back a dreadful start to stand level par with five holes to play on a day of low scoring.

But a sorry finish last Thursday saw him drop three more shots and there was no way back.

"I don't feel confident about the way I am hitting the ball," he moaned. "Things aren't looking good at the moment but I have just got to try and turn things round. I haven't played well all year."

A double bogey seven at the opening hole was hardly the start he wanted and a further dropped stroke at Robinson's sixth was the awful prelude to some inspired play over the next eight holes.

Alas, while three birdies were accumulated, Robinson saw two putts slide past from within three yards and other chances not threaten the hole from further afield on the greens.

Robinson found himself with birdie putts at six successive holes around the turn but, once he had dragged himself back to level par, his accuracy from the tee eluded him.

Wayward drives at the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth saw him lose three shots, while another six-footer at the seventh slid by after hitting his second at the 409-yard hole to within six feet of the pin.

There was little hope of making the cut the next day, especially after a bogey five at the opening hole.

That was retrieved at four but further mishaps at six and seven left him five over with ten holes to play.

A score two shots better than the previous day at hole nine and a second successive birdie at the next left him level for the day.

Inconsistency continued with a bogey at 15 although a third consecutive birdie at the 514-yard last - he only needed four shots in a second round 83 last year - saw him post a level par 72 and salvage a hint of pride but a 14th missed cut in 23 attempts.

"I have got eight events left and need to win about £30,000 to retain my card," Robinson revealed.

He will be back in European Tour action at Gleneagles for the Scottish PGA Championship which starts next Thursday.