Mikael Lundberg wins maiden title in playoff

Sweden's Mikael Lundberg gave himself a perfect birthday present by clinching his maiden European Tour title in dramatic fashion at the Russian Open on Sunday.

The Swede, who turned 32 the day before, edged out Britain's Andrew Butterfield in a sudden-death playoff on the fourth extra hole at the Moscow Country Club in suburban Nakhabino.

The pair had completed the 72 regulation holes in 15-under-par 273, Butterfield covering the back nine in just 30 strokes on his way to a six-under 66 to take the tournament into extra time.

Lundberg, who closed with a 69, had a chance to win the title in regulation play and again on the first extra hole but missed relatively easy putts twice in a row on the 18th green.

Both players parred the 18th hole on the next two visits there before Lundberg finally broke through with a birdie at the par-five 17th.

After the pair had hit matching drives straight down the middle of the fairway, Lundberg put the pressure on his opponent by striking a superb three-wood second shot into the heart of the green.

Butterfield missed the green to the left with his approach before chipping 40 feet past the hole with his third. Although he almost made the return putt for a birdie four, Lundberg then had the luxury of two putts for victory.

From 30 feet, the Swede lagged his eagle putt and then tapped in to clinch the title, a winner's cheque for $83,330 and a one-year exemption on the 2006 European Tour.

"This is incredible, a dream come true. I can't describe my feelings right now," said a jubilant Lundberg, whose breakthrough win came in his 101st European Tour event as a professional.

"This is the best thing that ever happened to me. Having my European Tour card is a great feeling -- not only for me but for my whole family. It feels fantastic."

"I came out today and tried to stick to my game plan which I did. I played quite safe, especially after 12 holes when I had a couple of shots advantage but then Andrew played some great golf to catch up with me.

"But I am just very happy to have come through the playoff. Everything went right at the end."

Butterfield was elated with his last-day form but disappointed with the finish.

"I played brilliantly today on the back nine to get into the playoff so I was delighted with that," said the 33-year-old Englishman. "But playoffs are a fickle thing. I just wish I had hit a better chip at the last hole."

Lundberg began the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Swede Fredrik Widmark and Frenchman Sebastien Delagrange as ideal weather helped attract hundreds of spectators to Nakhabino, just a short drive from the capital.

Lundberg stretched his advantage with an eagle-three at the second hole and a birdie at the fifth. Four strokes clear with five holes remaining, he bogeyed 14 as Butterfield caught fire over the closing stretch.

The Englishman covered the last six holes in five under par, with birdies on 13, 14 and 17 and an eagle at the par-five 15th.

The tournament marked the European Tour debut of former world tennis number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov but rounds of 88 and 96 meant he missed Friday's cut by a huge margin.

Organisers said the Russian Open would have full European Tour status from next year, resulting in a big increase in prize money.

The tournament, a European Challenge Tour event since 1996, was co-sanctioned by the European and Challenge Tours from 2002 until this year.

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