When the players returned to the 17th for the third play-off hole, his gamble of trying to drive the green this time paying dividends when he found the putting surface to set up a birdie.

Harrington had also attempted to reach the 360-yard dogleg hole but came up just short and failed to hole his birdie putt from six feet to keep the play-off going.

Singh, who had earlier carded a closing 68 for a 14-under par total of 274, took the first prize of £104,000 while Harrington - who finished with a 70 - had to settle for £69,779 which consolidated his place in the Ryder Cup standings.

Singh had earlier seemed in total control when he broke out of a four-way tie for the lead with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th to carve out a two-shot lead over the field.

But a moment of madness then cost the 37-year-old dear when he inexplicably tried to drive the green on the 17th when one ahead, hitting his tee shot out of bounds and running up a double bogey six.

With Harrington, playing in the group behind, making birdies at the 15th and 16th suddenly the Irishman had a two-shot lead with two holes to go.

There was still plenty of drama to come however as Harrington's approach to the 17th flew over the green and he failed to get up and down to save par, while Singh played a superb third shot to the 18th to set up a birdie.

That brought the pair level again and when Harrington missed a 15ft putt to win on the 72nd hole it was into sudden death.

Both players parred the 18th and then made birdie at their second attempt before the action switched to the 17th hole where Singh coolly two-putted for birdie and Harrington missed from six feet.

American Ahmad Dan Bateman and Korean Charlie Wi had finished tied third two shots behind while New Zealand's Michael Campbell fell back with a final round 73.