• BMW International Open, Round Four

Larrazabal conquers Garcia in epic play-off

Sergio Garcia three-putted the fifth play-off hole © Getty Images

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Sergio Garcia was denied a first title in two-and-a-half years after losing an epic play-off to fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal at the BMW International Open in Munich.

The 28-year-old eventually triumphed with a birdie at the fifth play-off hole after the players finished tied for the lead at 16-under through their first 72. Garcia has now lost five of the six play-offs he has contested.

Following birdies for each player at the first two sudden-death holes - both played at the 18th - Garcia clipped his next tee-shot onto the fringe just off the 12th green, while Larrazabal played to around ten feet. Garcia's putt circled the hole but refused to drop, while his opponent blew his opportunity with an unconvincing stroke.

So the players moved on to the 17th, another par three, and both found themselves with makeable birdie putts. Garcia pushed his well wide from around 12 feet, before Larrazabal misjudged the pace of his from slightly closer range, tapping in a par that meant the players returned to the 18th.

At that hole, Garcia had a putt for the title, but he took three on the green - the second attempt missing from five foot - and Larrazabal pounced to claim a second European Tour victory.

"Beating one of my heroes when I was growing up is just a dream," Larrazabal said. "It's very emotional - last week we lost my grandad, and this victory is for him."

In regulation play, Garcia opened up a two-shot lead with seven to play, picking up three consecutive birdies and then following up with two eagles in three holes - the first with a 25-footer at the ninth, and the second with a 40-footer at the 11th.

But just when it seemed he was heading relentlessly towards a victory, his charge was derailed by some errant work from the tee. He bogeyed four of the five holes between 12 and 16, meaning that he needed a birdie at 18 to enter sudden-death battle with Larrazabal.

After a terrific tee shot left him 285 yards to the pin, Garcia found the green in two before picking up the shot that he needed to guarantee him at least second place - and with it a place in next month's Open Championship.

Larrazabal had no-one to blame but himself, however, having also stumbled on his way in by bogeying two of the final seven holes. Both he and Garcia carded final-day 68s in helpful conditions for scoring.

Five players finished in a tie for third at 14-under, including overnight leader Mark Foster and former US Open champion Retief Goosen. Scottish rookie Scott Jamieson forced his way into that group with the lowest round of the day, a devastating 64.

Martin Kaymer closed an underwhelming tournament with a 69 that left him nine-under, one shot behind Matteo Manassero, whose countryman Francesco Molinari completed at five-under.

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