Thomas Bjorn claims title in three way playoff

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn claimed his eighth European Tour title after winning a three-man sudden-death playoff at the British Masters on Sunday.

Bjorn's par at the second extra hole at Forest of Arden was enough to see off Britons David Howell and Brian Davis.

The trio had finished on six-under-par 282, a stroke better than third-round leader Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Davis was eliminated at the first sudden-death hole, the short 18th, when he bogeyed to Bjorn and Howell's pars.

Bjorn then hit the 18th green for a second time in the playoff, while Howell missed for the third successive time, including in normal play, but this time the Englishman failed to get up and down.

The Dane's two putts earned him the 536,000 dollars winner's prize and his first win since the 2002 BMW International Open.

"It's been a long time coming," said Bjorn.

"I kept perfectly cool over the whole weekend and in the end it paid off. I don't think I've been as relaxed as I was over those two playoff holes."

For Howell, it was the second time he had allowed the British Masters title to slip through his grasp, having lost a four-man playoff to Frenchman Thomas Levet in 2001.

Howell appeared to have the tournament won when he chipped in for eagle on the long 17th but he missed the green on 18 to bogey for a final round of three-under-par 69.

Bjorn had already posted a 68, also eagling the 17th with a 12-foot putt.

Davis, who had been forcing the pace until he dropped a shot on 15, birdied the 17th and safely made par on the awkward last hole for a 69 to join his playing-partner Howell and Bjorn for the shootout.

Campbell led Britons Davis, Howell and Steve Webster by three shots going into the final round but stalled over the first nine holes with only pars, despite a calm and sunny day following three rounds of blustery winds that had played havoc with the scoring.

He led by two shots after birdying the 11th but then stumbled with a double-bogey on 13 and needed to chip in on 18 to join the playoff but failed to do so.

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