After leading with nine holes to play, the 34-year-old eventually had to settle for a share of third place in New Delhi behind young Australian Andrew Dodt.

Drysdale closed with a 70 to finish on 12-under-par, two behind Dodt as the Scot tied with English duo Richard Bland and Barry Lane and Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka.

"Overall it has been a pretty good week for me," said Drysdale. "I came here very unsure of my equipment and the new clubs and I am leaving with a lot of confidence in them.

"Maybe not so much the long irons but from the 6-iron up I felt more comfortable than I have all year.

"I really didn't expect to be in contention with the equipment I had at the start of the week, so it has been a good week."

It had been a quiet start to the new season for Drysdale following his best-ever 48th place finish in the 2009 Race to Dubai standings.

The new calendar year started with three missed cuts in a row but an improved 31st place showing in the Dubai Desert Classic gave Drysdale confidence going to India.

His third place finish there earned him 71,250 euros and took his season's earnings to 9,104 euros. He now stands 27th in the Race to Dubai and his world ranking has risen to 161.