They returned today having each laid up at the first extra hole, and they in turn pitched into six and seven feet. Both missed their putts, though, and returned to the tee to play the par five again.

Pagunsan found the rough this time around and Fernandez-Castano took advantage to leave himself 40 yards closer when hitting his approach. He then bettered the Filipino’s approach to 10 feet and holed his putt to claim the prize.

The Spaniard, who led by four strokes going into yesterday’s back nine but was pegged back, told europeantour.com: “It has been a great relief, especially the way I played yesterday – having a four-shot lead and spoiling it all.

“It has been a tough year and I got a monkey off my back. It has been three years without a victory and it means a lot to me.

“Putting is probably my Achilles heel but I think it has improved a lot. But in the heat of the battle, it’s a different story.”

Fernandez-Castano’s very career was in doubt after he suffered back problems earlier this year, but he now lies second in the European Ryder Cup points table.

“It was never in my mind about the Ryder Cup points,” he said. “I just wanted to come back from my injury and play well again. What I did until this week was pretty amazing and winning the title is unbelievable.”

Pagunsan said: “It was very close – I thought I was going to make my first putt [on the first play-off hole].

“I had big confidence I was going to win. Unfortunately I missed the first putt – I thought to myself ’this is my big chance to win’, but I missed it. But I am still a big winner in myself.”