Italy’s Edoardo Molinari made it a brilliant three wins in his last five tournaments today when he beat last year’s European Tour number one Robert Karlsson in a play-off for the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.

The pair had tied on 13 under par before Molinari, older brother of the better-known Francesco, sank a four-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole.

Ireland's Shane Lowry was joint third after a final round 67.

Molinari's previous victories came as he won Europe's "second division" Challenge Tour, but all three have counted towards the world rankings and he is now just outside the top 60.

He is also back into the top 10 on the European Ryder Cup world points list.

Karlsson failed to qualify for the Dubai World Championship after a season disrupted by a blister behind a retina. He was out of the game for almost three months.