Aphibarnrat wins Paul Lawrie Match Play for 3rd title

Karlsson reduced the deficit to just one hole after firing birdies at the eighth and ninth but this year’s Shenzhen worldwide victor Aphibarnrat took the 11th and 14th to return to three up.

Aphibarnrat birdied the final hole to fend off an inspired fightback from Karlsson who won three holes in a row to send the pair down the 18th fairway locked together.

However, the 26-year-old from Bangkok produced an even better approach from heavy rough and, after Karlsson dragged his birdie attempt wide, holed from four feet for victory and the first prize of £122,000.

Karlsson, who dispatched former Ryder Cup teammate David Howell after 20 holes in the semis, was handed a glimmer of hope when Aphibarnrat found water with his approach on the 15th.

A par was enough for Karlsson to win the 16th and a 10-foot birdie at the next left the pair back all square heading down the 18th, only for Aphibarnrat to slide hole from four feet for victory. “I was happy with that”.

“My body was getting so exhausted, so my swing wasn’t at 100 per cent, but I just tried to hit my shots”, the Thai told the European Tour website.

“I remember a long time ago some guy kept telling me that if I had a long backswing like that I would not grow up to be a professional”. “I started pulling some drives but I have to say I putted very well today and sank a lot of important putts – especially the putt to win which was very short but it was great to see it hit the middle of the hole”.

While disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, Karlsson was pleased to have ended a dismal run of six missed cuts by giving himself a chance of his first European Tour triumph in almost five years.

The home favourite took an early lead against Howell in the third/fourth place play-off, but fell behind on three separate occasions across the back nine and was unable to card a three at the last to force the tie in to extra holes.