Penalty hands Karlsson Dubai World Championship title

The European Tour season ended in bizarre fashion today when Ian Poulter lost the Dubai World Championship to Robert Karlsson after suffering a one-shot penalty in the play-off.

After both birdied the first extra hole they pitched to the same green and were left with putts of 30 and four feet, but before Poulter could try his first he dropped his ball on his marker and it flipped over.

After checking with a referee Poulter was told he was now putting for par rather than birdie and left it short. Karlsson therefore had two for victory, but made his for birdie.

There was a difference of €300,000 between first and second.

Defending champion Lee Westwood and Spain's Alvaro Quiros finished one behind, Westwood going in the water on the last when he needed a birdie to be in the play-off.

Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell were in a tie for 13th, giving Kaymer the money list title.