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Both players finished their final rounds on seven under for a four-round total of 277 although Harrington looked to have blown his chances with a double-bogey six on the final hole, twice finding the water, for a 67.

 However, Garcia, who was also in search of a first Major, dropped a shot when needing only a par to win the title, carding a final- round 73.

 The Spaniard, who had stuttered through his final round, failed to get up and down in two from the bunker at the front left of the 18th green, missing his putt by the finest of margins.

 As a result, both players went into a play-off looking to become the first European to win the British Open since Paul Lawrie lifted the Claret Jug at the same course in 1999.

 Harrington took the early advantage at the first hole, shooting a birdie while Garcia bogeyed after sending his ball into a bunker.

 Both players halved the next two holes at 16 and 17, shooting pars to leave Harrington holding a two-shot lead with just the final par- four 18th hole to play.

 Harrington decided to lay up instead of going for the green in two while Garcia left himself a long birdie opportunity after a beautiful six-iron shot to the centre of the green.

 Harrington's third found the edge of the green but he sent his putt three feet past the hole.

 Garcia's birdie effort just missed the edge of the hole, but the 27-year-old managed his par leaving Harrington a three-foot putt to win the title, which he duly sank to become the first Irishman since Fred Daly in 1947 to win the British Open.

 "If I had lost that, I don't think I would have been able to play competitive golf again," said the 35-year-old afterwards.

 Overnight leader Garcia had started the day three shots clear of the field and started well with a birdie at the third but had bogeys on the fifth, seventh and eighth holes to go out in 38 and slip to seven under.

 Harrington birdied 11, followed by an eagle at the 14th to move to nine under, one ahead of Garcia.

 But there was more drama as Harrington dropped to seven under after his disastrous final hole for a final round 67, while Garcia bogeyed 15 and 18 for a two over 73.

 While Garcia and Harrington went head to head, Andres Romero missed out on the play-off by one shot and had to be content with third place after finishing double-bogey, bogey to blow a two-shot lead.

 The Argentinian still managed to shoot 10 birdies for 67. Former champion Ernie Els South Africa and Australian Richard Green, who shot a course-record equalling 64, shared fourth place on five under, while Tiger Woods missed out on a hat-trick of wins after finishing on two under thanks to a final round 70. dpa