The pair tied at 19-under-par after 72 holes, forcing extra holes to decide the tournament. Both players missed the fairway with their second shots at the first play-off hole, but Noren recovered to within three feet and converted the birdie-putt to seal victory.

It was the Swede’s 12th DP World Tour title and second win of the season, adding to his Betfred British Masters success last month. The win also moves him past Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson as the most successful Swedish player in Tour history.

Noren and Saddier began the final round tied for the lead. Noren made early birdies at the third and fourth before dropping a shot at the fifth, while Saddier opened with nine straight pars. On the back nine, Saddier picked up three birdies in his first five holes to move ahead, while Noren birdied 12 and 13 and produced a crucial par save at 14.

The Frenchman had a fortunate break on the 15th when his tee shot landed in a spectator’s hood rather than going out of bounds, allowing him to salvage par. Both players birdied 17 in heavy rain and closed with pars on 18 to set up the play-off.

Saddier signed for a 68 to finish runner-up, with Aaron Rai and Patrick Reed three shots back in a tie for third at 16-under. Noren carded a closing 68 containing five birdies and one bogey.

Rory McIlroy closed with an impressive 65 in his final round, sending his momentum into the Ryder Cup build-up. He birdied 17 and made an eagle at 18, converting the lengthy putt to cap off a round that included five birdies and two bogeys, finishing at −12 for the tournament.

“I think you enjoy yourself a bit more when you play like that instead of the way I played the first three days. But yeah, I played the par 5s much better. That was the difference between the first three days and today,” McIlroy said.

RIGHT: Celebrations in order at Wentworth. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Min Woo Lee was the top Aussie. His closing 66 was enough to move him into a tie for 11th with Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin.

But the day was Norens. The Swede is a proven performer around Wentworth, and winning for the second time clearly meant a lot.

“So many emotions right now,” Noren told the DP World Tour.

“In the play-off, it felt maybe a little bit easier than coming down the 72nd hole – a little bit better conditions. I thought I hit my approach in the water, but I had a great lie, so I tried to put it up here on the right side of the green and then got fortunate with a good break.

“You’ve just got to fight. Sometimes it comes too easy and sometimes you’ve just got to fight, and today it felt like a fight. This tournament is unbelievable… I think it’s one of the best in the whole world. It just gets better every year.”