Paul McGinley put in a sensational performance over the weekend to go from just squeezing in on the cut mark at the Smurfit Kappa European Open to racing into a tie for fourth.
However, to complete the fairytale and win was a bridge too far as the composed figure of Stephen Dodd held his nerve to collect the Waterford Crystal trophy and €578,792 winner's cheque.
Dodd clearly has an affinity with Ireland because just over 12 months ago he secured the Nissan Irish Open at Carton House in a year that he also won the China Open and the World Cup for Wales alongside Bradley Dredge.
"I've had a really slow start to the year to be honest but golf's golf and you never know what's round the corner," was the typically unflappable response from Dodd after his second win on Irish soil. "Patience was undoubtedly the key out there this week and that comes with experience I guess."
The 39-year-old, who will celebrate his 40th birthday next weekend, is a really cool customer on the course and that stood him in great stead on a final day when so many players were literally blown off course by high winds.
Dodd closed with a 70 for a nine-under-par 281 aggregate to win by two shots from overnight leader, Jose Manuel Lara from Spain (74) and England's Anthony Wall (73).
Just as the tournament was drawing to a close a play-off looked certain, that was until Dodd kicked for home with two birdies in the last three holes.
That prospective play-off looked like it might have included McGinley at one point after he closed with a 69 to add to yesterday's superb 67 for a six-under aggregate. In the end the Dubliner tied fourth with four others. They were the English trio of Lee Westwood, Graeme Storm and Simon Khan plus India's Jeev Mikha Singh.
"They were the two best rounds I've played, tee to green, for a long, long time," said McGinley of his effort over the weekend. "That gives me more pleasure than any kind of finish I have because at least I played the shots again."
On Friday evening McGinley was one of 12 players tied 64th on two over who were last to make the cut. He had even made his way to the airport, sure that he had missed the cut. From there he produced a scintillating two-round performance but still refused to get carried away.
"If EI169 wasn't delayed I would have been flying over the K-Club not playing in it," quipped McGinley. "I'm very, very fortunate to have made the cut, no doubt about it. I don't think in all my years I've seen a cut go from 91st to making it. I mean they were tough conditions but not that tough."
"A turnaround? Hopefully. But hey, this is only two rounds, let's not get carried away, let's keep things in perspective. If I'm gonna make the Ryder Cup team I've to be playing much better than I have been . I've gotta keep producing the kind of form I did over the weekend. At least the ball's in my court."
McGinley earned €126,685.99 for his efforts and that moves him up one place to seventh in the Ryder Cup race. Dodd moved up to 16th but still the Welshman wouldn't be drawn of the prospect of returning here as part of Ian Woosnam's team in September.
"That's such a long way off and so much can happen between now and then. Obviously it's everyone's dream to play in the Ryder Cup but I'm not looking that far," said Dodd.
It was a day of disappointment for Darren Clarke who wasn't able to keep pace with his playing partner Dodd, particularly over the back nine. While the Welshman covered the inward half in three under 33, Clarke's matching halves of 38 for a closing 76 meant the Tyroneman dropped back into a tie for 15th on three under.
That was two shots better than Padraig Harrington, whose 73 left him on one under (tied 20th). The conclusion of Graeme McDowell's week could have been so much better had he not found water and taken a triple bogey eight on the last hole. It meant he 26-year-old signed for a 72 to be one-over and tied 26th.
"I got some good work done on the range yesterday and I was a lot more comfortable with the way I played today. Sure, the last was a bit of a kick in the teeth but I battled hard," said McDowell who is looking forward to a couple of days break back home.
"I'm going straight home tonight and will watch my little brother (Gary) play in the North (of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush) tomorrow and then go across to Loch Lomond on Tuesday morning. I'm looking forward to next week."
Damien McGrane (76) and Stephen Browne (79) finished two and three over respectively. David Higgins (77) was eight over while Simon Thornton's (81) dropped him to the bottom of the weekend field.
