There was no stopping Edoardo Molinair in Miyazaki, Japan as he made it three wins in his last five tournaments when he beat 2008 European money leader Robert Karlsson in a playoff at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.
The pair had finished regulation tied at 13-under 271 before Molinari, a pupil of Phil Kenyon, sank a four-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to win the $2.2 million Japan Tour tournament.
Karlsson missed a 12-foot birdie attempt on the second playoff hole and Molinari calmly sank his winner in steady rain at the Phoenix Country Club.
Molinari shot a 5-under 66 in the final round, while Karlsson had a 65.
The 28-year-old's previous victories came in topping the Order of Merit on the European Challenege Tour but all three have counted toward the world rankings and he is now just outside the top 60.
