With the final round cancelled due to flooding Peter Fowler and Clark Dennis required extra time to decide the Italian Senior Open, the American victorious after a birdie at a makeshift par-3 on the course’s 18th hole.

Locked at 7-under through 36 holes, Dennis and Fowler completed four holes of the final round before play was suspended, and eventually abandoned, due to most of the Golf Club Udine course being under water.

Tournament officials set-up a temporary par-3 at the 400-metre par-4 18th to decide the outcome, Dennis who emerging victorious with a brilliant birdie.

Both players hit good tee shots but Fowler’s birdie putt burned the hole without falling, his chance at a sixth European Senior Tour title gone when Dennis holed from 15 feet.

“Unfortunately that’s the way it goes sometimes, but the team did a great job to make the course playable this week and it was a good tournament,” said a gracious Fowler after the round.

“Clark’s a fine player, he’s been really hot this year in patches and it’s great for him to get a win.

“I played the play-off hole very well, hit a great tee shot and made a great putt. It just didn’t go in, and that’s the way it goes.”

Fowler signed for rounds of 69-68 while Dennis posted 67-70, the pair a shot ahead of South Africa’s Chris Williams and Dane Steen Tinning.

The result is Fowler’s best since a runner-up finish at last year’s Scottish Senior Open, the €35,000 cheque moving him to fourth on the Order of Merit.

Mike Harwood was next best of the Australasians at 2-under and T18, New Zealand’s Greg Turner alone in 46th at 4-over for the tournament.