This was for the second month in a row that an Indian laid his fingers on an European Tour title. Fellow Kolkata pro SSP Chowrasia had won the Indian Masters at the Delhi Golf Club last month.

Recently exonerated from vehicular homicide charges from a road accident in Orlando last year, Atwal today played like a man possessed and birdied half the holes in a sizzling round of 64 to join Hedblom at 18-under 270 to force a playoff.

There on the second extra hole, Hedblom three-putted for a bogey, while Atwal held his nerve and sank a four-footer at the short 17th to clinch the title.

This was Atwal's third European Tour title and the Indian pocketed Euro 219,483 for his exploits.

Apart from his two Malaysian Open titles, Atwal had also won the 2002 Caltex Singapore Masters.

Atwal also came close to equal Simon Yates' 1999 course record of nine-under 63 at the venue.

Among other Indians in the fray, Jyoti Randhawa (273) carded 71 for his share of the sixth place, while Gaurav Ghei (280) signed off with 70 to be tied 37th.