Foster had been ahead as he went onto the 18th but finished with a bogey six to finish 11 under par. While Foster may have been left pondering his mistakes, he was still in contention after three additional holes.

Bjorn won at the fifth extra hole, with Foster, Australian Bernd Wiesberger, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and South African George Coetzee sharing second place.

Weisberger was the first to lose out, hooking his drive to bogey the first additional attempt at the 18th. Larrazabal was next to go, leaving Bjorn, Foster and Coetzee to fight it out for the title.

Bjorn pitched within three feet on the third extra hole, but Coetzee was able to get within five feet and Foster within two for all three to birdie.

It was at the fourth extra hole that Foster lost the title, as his fourth shot ran well past the pin and he ended with bogey. Both Bjorn and Coetzee birdied to force another attempt at finding a divide.

Bjorn finally prevailed after having again landed within three feet on approach, and his third straight birdie on the 18th.

The 40 year-old, who won the Qatar Masters earlier in the season, said:

"I think when you set out in a playoff with five guys you're almost a little too relaxed because it takes a lot for it to go your way.

"But as we got rid of one at a time all of a sudden it became very hard. But the way I played the last three holes, I can't be more proud."