JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, March 16 (UPI) -- Graeme McDowell's birdie at the third playoff hole Sunday gave him the European Tour's Ballantine's Championship in Jeju Island, South Korea.
The Northern Ireland native beat his playing partner, India's Jeev Milkha Singh.
In regulation, McDowell, who trailed by as many as three shots on the front nine, eventually recovered with a 6-under-par 66.
Singh also shot 66 but a critical bogey at No. 17 likely cost him the title outright.
"That's definitely up there with best shots I have ever hit, no doubt about it," McDowell said after a 179-yard seven iron left him within a foot of the cup and his tournament-winning birdie followed.
Both players finished regulation at 24-under 264 -- the best final score in a tour event this season by four shots.
It was McDowell's third European Tour tournament victory and first since 2004.
Paul McGinley (69) was third at 17-under 271 and Shingo Katayama (67) finished fourth at 15-under 273.
