Gary Orr was rewarded for 18 months of remarkable consistency when he won the Algarve Portuguese Open with an eagle at Penina's par-five 18th yesterday.

A majestic two-iron shot of 224 yards which landed 12 feet short of the flag gave the Scot from Surrey the opportunity to secure his maiden victory after a trio of near misses. He took it with aplomb to beat Phillip Price by one shot with a closing 69 for a 13-under-par total of 275.

Orr has had a frustrating 12 months. He was runner-up for the PGA championship and the Dutch Open last summer and in January this year finished second in the opening European Tour event in South Africa. He has been a regular contender, missing only one cut in his last 27 events.

Orr's second eagle of the last round - he almost sank a four-iron to the long fifth - was the climax of a nerve-jangling duel with Welshman Price who shared the overnight lead after a record 65 on Saturday. They began three ahead of Irishman Paul McGinley.

Price single-putted six of the first seven greens to grab four early birdies, while McGinley spurted into the race with birdies at four of the first eight holes. But Orr followed his early eagle with a birdie at the sixth to cut Price's lead at the turn to one shot, then caught him with another birdie at the 14th.

A hooked drive at the par four 17th was almost Orr's undoing. He opted for a conservative recovery, failed to get up and down from 70 yards, and fell one behind. But Price was forced to lay up short of the cross bunkers at the 477 yards 18th after driving into rough, and failed to find the green's upper level, forfeiting the birdie on offer.

The double mistake gave Orr his chance and he rolled in the winning putt for Stg£103,000.

"I always felt I could win despite my disappointments, although I'd be lying if I said it had not bothered me at times," he said.