Rikard Karlberg beats Martin Kaymer in Italian Open play-off

Rikard Karlberg claimed his maiden European Tour victory by beating Martin Kaymer in a two-hole play-off for the Italian Open in Monza.

The Swede produced a superb birdie at the 18th hole, hitting his approach from deep rough to within 15 feet and canning the putt after watching Kaymer miss his attempt.

Both players had chances to win the tournament on the first play-off hole but missed their efforts, and Kaymer was left to wonder how he managed to throw away a winning position in regulation play.

Karlberg is a dual winner on the Asian Tour - the last of those coming in 2010 - and has enjoyed success in Scandiniavian events but this is easily the biggest payday of the 28-year-old's career.

"I didn't want to win on his mistake, I wanted to make a birdie," said Karlberg, whose previous best finish this season was ninth in the European Masters. "To do it against Kaymer is incredible.

"On the second extra hole I had a perfect yardage and a perfect lie (in the rough) so it was quite lucky, but I hit it great and that felt nice.

"It's fantastic. Me and my wife are moving from Abu Dhabi back to Sweden, with twins on the way. A lot of things are happening this year and this is just a part of it, but it means a lot."

Kaymer appeared to be in cruise control when he opened up a three-shot lead over the front-nine, birdieing the first two holes, the eighth and ninth.

He had only dropped one shot on the back-nine in the three previous rounds, but managed three in his next five holes, including a sloppy six at the par-five 14th, one of the easiest holes on the course.

Kaymer nearly chipped in for eagle at the 16th to get back into a tie with Karlberg but left putts inches away from the cup at the last two holes to make extra holes necessary.

Karlberg continued his consistent week with a third five under round of 67 - the other was a 68 - to set the clubhouse target on 19 under, birdieing three of his last five holes to briefly take the lead on his own.

At one point, before Karlberg picked up a stroke at the last hole, nine players were tied for the lead although at least one - England's Danny Willett - had already left the course expecting their 18 under total not to be enough for a place in any play-off.

Willett completed his tournament with a round of 66 to tie for third place, where he was joined by in-form compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick (65) and another Swede, Joakim Lagergren, who produced the round of the day, a nine under 63.

Also sharing third place were America's David Lipsky, Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark, Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti and Jens Fahrbring of Sweden, who made a costly bogey at the last to drop out of the play-off places.

There was also a disappointing finish for Frenchman Romain Wattel, who was one over for his back nine and finished in 10th place on 17 under.