The big-hitting Quiros ultimately prevailed over South African Zander Lombard on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to claim the Rocco Forte Open at the Ventura Golf Club in Sicily.

Quiros led the tournament by seven shots in the final round as walked to the 8th tee. But four bogies and a double bogey over the remaining holes opened the way for Lombard to force a play-off as both men finished at 14 under, one stroke clear of China’s Li Haotong in third place.

Quiros drives from the 16th tee during the final round. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

Haotong, who made an albatross in his closing round of 66, was on his way to the airport when officials made contact with the bus to let him know he might be required for a play-off as Quiros and Lombard dropped shots over the closing holes.

Both Quiros and Lombard parred the opening play-off hole. Quiros also parred the next hole but Lombard missed a putt from three feet to take the play-off to a third hole.

"Obviously it shouldn't have been like that with a playoff, but in the end it's a victory and that's the most important thing," said Quiros, who has now won seven times on the European Tour.

The Spaniard made some vital putts over the closing holes including a desperate par-saver on the 72nd hole. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

"It's been a little bit of a mess today – the game wasn't that bad. Just the last few holes I started to struggle with the wind left to right, and Zander was playing nicely.

"I didn't have an idea how many shots I was leading by, what I knew on 18 is I have to make a putt to halve with Zander."

The 34-year-old regained his European Tour card with this victory.

Victoria Marcus Fraser (67) and WA’s Jason Scrivener (67) climbed up the leaderboard in the tough conditions of the final day, with both players finishing tied fifth. Scrivener had a genuine chance at reaching the leaders before making a double bogey on the 71st hole.