FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD GB&Ire unless stated -9 Stephen Dodd, David Howell -7 Nick Dougherty, Angel Cabrera (Arg) -6 Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Nick O'Hern (Aus) -5 Francois Delamontagne (Fra)

The Welshman birdied the first extra hole to clinch victory in the late evening gloom and condemn Howell to his second consecutive play-off defeat.

Both players finished on nine under, with Howell holing a 14-foot birdie at the last hole to force a play-off.

Nick Dougherty and Angel Cabrera tied for third on seven under with Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Nick O'Hern a shot further back.

Australian O'Hern had the best round of the day, equalling the Carton House course record of 66.

I know the win will come soon David Howell

Dodd carded a final round of 69 while Howell took a shot more on a day in which play was held up for 90 minutes due to a hailstorm.

The defeat was a bitter blow for Howell, who lost a play-off to Thomas Bjorn at the second extra hole in last week's British Masters.

"I was distraught last week but I'm a lot more upbeat this time," said Howell.

"I know the win will come soon," added the 29-year-old, whose only European Tour victory came at the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic.

It was Dodd's second career title after he won the China Open last November.

"I can't explain it, but after winning I developed more confidence and belief in what I'm doing," the 38-year-old Welshman said.

The in-form Dodd has finished sixth, fifth, 11th and now first in his last four tournaments.

It was a difficult week this week for me, having to worry about other players, tee markers, all that, so finishing with a 70 is pretty good Colin Montgomerie

Not having played a major since he won the British Amateur in 1989 and qualified for the Open and Masters, he now has a chance to earn a spot at next month's US Open.

Dodd, who was planning a holiday in Dubai that week, needs to climb into Europe's top two at the PGA Championship, but it remains a tall order as Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are the ones he has to catch and they are both playing.

Another man chasing a US Open berth is course designer Colin Montgomerie, who was boosted by six birdies on Sunday as he recovered from a third-round 75 to finish tied for 28th.

Montgomerie lies 54th in the world rankings but needs to be in the top 50 after next week's PGA Championship to avoid US Open pre-qualifying at Walton Heath on 6 June.

He is pinning his hopes on a good display at Wentworth, a course he has enjoyed considerable success at in the past.

"It was a difficult week this week for me, having to worry about other players, tee markers, all that, so finishing with a 70 is pretty good," said the 41-year-old Scot, who won three straight PGA Championships from 1998 and the 1999 World Matchplay.

"I made six birdies and now I'll look forward to next week and take those birdies with me as positives," he said.

"Then I'll hope for a top-five next week to get into the top 50 and avoid Walton Heath."