Karlsson's victory took him to the top of the Order of Merit

Sweden's Robert Karlsson beat England's Ross Fisher and Germany's Martin Kaymer in a play-off to clinch the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

Karlsson birdied the first extra hole - the 1st - to seal his second win in three weeks and climb to the top of the European Order of Merit.

The 6ft 5in Swede moved ahead of double major winner Padraig Harrington in the table with four events remaining.

The consistent Karlsson has now had 11 top-10 finishes in Europe in 2008.

"It was an unexpected win," said Karlsson. "I played a bad round on Saturday but I managed to get myself in to the play-off.

"I had a good feeling about the first extra hole. I fancied my chances when I got the yardage for the wedge to the green.

"It's a bonus to be top of the Order of Merit but you do not think about it, you are just trying to do your best.

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The trio were tied on 10 under after 72 holes as Karlsson and Fisher carded 65s and joint overnight leader Kaymer bogeyed the 17th and missed his eight footer to win on 18.

Going back down the 1st, Fisher drove into the Swilcan Burn crossing the fairway and ended up with a bogey five, while Kaymer hit his approach to 10 feet but missed his birdie putt.

That left Karlsson with a four footer for victory to add a ninth European Tour title to the Mercedes-Benz Championship he won on his last strokeplay outing the week before the Ryder Cup.

The 23-year-old Kaymer, who has won twice this season, including on home soil just two weeks after his mother died of cancer, said: "It's disappointing, especially after having chances on the last two holes to win, but overall it was a really good week for me.

"It has been very special playing with my brother and father in the team event."

Harrington went into the final round just two off the lead but could only manage a closing 71 to finish in a tie for 13th on five under.

The 37-year-old, who won just half a point for the second Ryder Cup in succession at Valhalla, said: "It's hard to get away with it on a Sunday when you are not prepared right. I know myself I'm not on top of my game.

"I'll have a battle on my hands for the Order of Merit for sure. It's in Robert's hands now."

Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin, tied top with Kaymer on Sunday morning, ended in fourth on his own at eight under after a round of 70.