Noren and Hend finished tied on 17 under after the pair carded closing rounds of 65 and 66 respectively on Switzerland’s Crans-sur-Sierre layout. England’s Andrew Johnston was three shots back in outright third after a five under 65, which included three birdies and an eagle on the inward nine.

Hend led Noren by a single stroke after 54 holes but it was the Swede who made the first move in the final round, opening with a birdie to draw alongside the Queenslander at the top of the leaderboard.

Alex Noren gets his name on the European Masters trophy for a second time. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Having separated themselves from the pack, the title became a duel between Noren and Hend, who nudged back in front with his first birdie of the day at the par-5 5th hole. Noren then put his foot on the accelerator, making four consecutive birdies from the 6th to be out in 30 strokes and two shots clear of Hend.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

That buffer remained through 14 holes but Hend drew within one stroke with an unlikely birdie at the par-5 15th where he was forced to fashion a hooked punch shot from the trees to advance down the fairway. His lay-up left him within pitching range and he was able to get his third shot close and he converted the putt for the birdie.

The 34-year-old Noren, the 2009 European Masters champion, then three-putted the 17th green from long range to leave the door ajar for a Hend victory.

"I’ve never won coming from behind and never won a play-off on the European Tour and it feels even more amazing." - Alex Noren

But it wasn’t to be. Hend, again, hooked his tee shot into the trees left of the 18th fairway and played a courageous recovery shot that bounced over the creek fronting the green and finished just off the back edge of the putting surface. Hend got up and down for his 66 while Noren pencilled in 65 after missing his long birdie attempt from short of the hole.

The duo returned to the 18th tee for the first hole of sudden death and Hend hooked his tee shot again but he stayed clear of the trees. Playing first, Hend’s approach shot only just carried the water hazard, while Noren’s second shot was 10-foot closer, on a similar line, to his approach in regulation time. Hend’s chip finished five feet short of the cup but it didn’t matter as Noren rolled in his birdie putt at perfect speed to grab his sixth European Tour victory and his second for the year.

“It feels unbelievable,” said Noren, who also won the Scottish Open in July and will now move into the top-30 of the world ranking for the first time in his career.

He added that he felt he was in career best form at the moment.

“Yeah, I feel that way. I worked quite hard this season and tried to really play more golf when I’ve been off and not do so much practice on the driving range,” he said. “I feel steadier with my driver, which has never been my good side.

“[I was] coming off a three-week vacation and trying to get the game in shape and it got in shape quickly – it’s fantastic.

“I’ve never won coming from behind and never won a play-off on the European Tour and it feels even more amazing. I never thought it would be this good of a year. I took some time off after we had a baby, and it’s great to have the family with me here to celebrate.”

Scott Hend fashions an escape from the trees on the 18th hole, which helped him save par and force a play-off with Noren. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Hend, who has already won twice in Thailand this year, collected a €300,000 runners-up cheque, which will see him move ahead of Australian Olympic team-mate Marcus Fraser at the top of the Asian Order of Merit.

Fraser was well-positioned after three rounds to make a run of his own at the title, but a closing three over 73 saw him slip down the leaderboard into a tie for 36th position. Fellow Victorian Richard Green also had his chances and was only four shots back from the 54-hole lead but will rue not making enough birdies on the front nine over the weekend. His final round one over 71 saw him finish at seven under and tied 24th.

Reigning Australian PGA Champion Nathan Holman closed with a two over 72 to be T68, while Brett Rumford bounced back from his third round 84 to wrap up his tournament with a 69 and finish outright 77th.