England’s Daniel Brooks grabbed his first European Tour title by beating Scott Henry with a par in a play-off at the Madeira Islands Open in Portugal.

It came on an afternoon which earlier saw the tragic heart attack death of 52-year-old caddie Iain McGregor on the 9th hole.

Daniel Brooks celebrates winning the Madeira Islands Open, his first European Tour victory. PHOTO: Getty Images

McGregor, 52, was working for Scotland's Alastair Forsyth at the tournament when he collapsed.

Forsyth described himself as feeling numb. "Everybody is in shock," he said. "To see that happen to someone in front of your eyes – I don't know how or when you get over that.

"He was far too young for this to happen. He was the life and soul of the caddies' lounge and a nice guy who will be sorely missed. I'm absolutely numb."

With the tournament already reduced to 36 holes due to heavy fog, play was indefinitely delayed before a decision was made to complete the tournament because, as Forsyth said, “that was what Mac would have wanted.”

Henry returned to the course and birdied the final three holes to card a four under 68 and join Brooks at the top of the leaderboard at nine under and force extra holes.

A par sealed the play-off win for Brooks, who had earlier fired a five under 67, after he knocked his approach from the middle of the fairway to 12 feet past the pin at the first play-off hole.

Henry’s second shot finished 25 feet to the right of the pin and the Scotsman came up three foot short with his birdie attempt, before Brooks’ putt slid past the hole leaving an easy par. When Henry missed his par putt, Brooks tapped in for a first win.

A minutes silence is held on the putting green for caddie Ian MacGregor who tragically died on the 9th fairway during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images

The 27-year-old was obviously happy to have claimed his maiden victory but found it hard to celebrate after the sudden death of McGregor earlier in the afternoon.

“It’s great to get a win, but it’s not nice to do it in these circumstances,” Brooks said.

“It’s horrible what happened out there so my condolences go out to all of his family.

“I'm over the moon to have won on The European Tour but I played good golf for the last few days so I'm happy with that.

“Scott did really well in the last three holes and it was a great performance from him. I was pretty calm during the play-off, more tired than anything, but I was a little bit nervous obviously.

“Anything can happen in a play-off so to hit the fairway from the tee was nice and then to hit a good shot in and put him under a bit of pressure was great. It’s why we play golf, to win, so I'm really happy.”

New South Welshman Scott Arnold was the leading Australian, carding a pair of 71s to finish in a tie for 16th and claim his biggest cheque of the season thus far.

LEADERBOARD

*1. Daniel Brooks (Eng)   68-67—135      €75,000

2. Scott Henry (Scot)   67-68—135         50,000

T3. Jordi Garcia Pinto (Esp)   69-69—138           21,375

T3. Julien Guerrier (Fra)   69-69—138      21,375

T3. Fabrizio Zanotti (Para)   70-68—138  21,375

* Won at first play-off hole

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T16. Scott Arnold (NSW)   71-71—142   €5,558