Italian Pavan was four shots off the pace heading into the final day but finished with a round of 66 to go 15-under for the tournament, but that was not enough as Fitzpatrick had a birdie at the final hole to join him at the top and set up a playoff on Sunday.

Rain began to fall at that point but Pavan held his nerve and shot a birdie at the second playoff hole to seal the win.

"It's amazing. I thought I had a chance starting the day," 30-year-old Pavan, who claimed his maiden European Tour title at last year's Czech Masters, said.

"I was playing very well coming into the week, I just hit a few bad drives – it's always a little bit of an Achilles heel. This hole (the 18th) is not the best for me without the driver but I managed to make a birdie.

RIGHT: Fitzpatrick finished runner-up to Pavan at the BMW International Open. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

"I was feeling the rush. I had a little pitching wedge and luckily I got a decent lie but it felt great, it was close."

Overnight leader Jordan Smith and defending champion Matt Wallace were part of a group of seven players who were tied for third place, two shots behind.

The best Australian was Jason Scrivener, who finished eight shots off the lead in 26th place, while Adam Bland was 11 shots off the pace in 43rd.

Victorian Lucas Herbert was 13 shots behind Pavan in 49th place.