Mikael Lundberg claimed victory at the Cadillac Russian Open after winning a play-off against Andrew Butterfield.

There was a huge consolation for the second-placed Englishman however, as he won enough money to return to the European Tour next season.

The event at the Le Meridien Moscow Country Club is co-sanctioned between the main and Challenge Tours - although it will be elevated to the elite schedule next year - but as one of the richer prizes for second-tier players it provides a huge incentive.

Butterfield, from Bromley, certainly saw the opportunity on the back nine of his final round as he carded an eagle and four birdies to put him in the clubhouse lead at 15 under after a six-under round of 66.

Third-round leader Lundberg had been sitting pretty at 16 under but a bogey at the 399-yard 14th dropped him back and then recovered superbly from sand at the 18th only to miss a five-foot birdie chance which would have given him victory.

He finished with a 69 and the duo went back down the 18th - three times in fact as they both went par-bogey-par - before the action switched to the par-five 17th.

Butterfield left himself an impossible chip with his third after finding the rough on the short left side and finished the full width of the green away from the flag.

Lundberg rolled his long eagle putt to within 18 inches and when Butterfield could not hole his 30-foot birdie attempt the Swede tapped in to earn a European Tour exemption until the end of 2006.

"This is so special, it is a dream come true," said the man from Helsingborg.

"I came out today and tried to stick to my game plan and I did and it felt good. I played pretty safe, especially after 12 holes when I had a couple of shots lead.

"Andrew played some great golf on the back nine and caught up with me. I could have gone for the green in two on 15 and 17 [both par fives] but it was risky and I decided to play safe as I couldn't afford to take any chances."

Butterfield, who picked up a cheque for £31,299, had mixed emotions after going so close to his first victory.

"I was a little bit disappointed because I played well. Play-offs are a fickle thing. I wish I had hit a better chip on 17 but I did all I could and at the end Mikael won it with a birdie. I can't be disappointed with losing in that manner," he said.

"Suddenly I started holing putts on the back nine for some reason. I'm delighted with the way I played on the back nine when it really mattered to get myself back into contention and give myself a chance to win.

"I'm sure I have done enough to win a card next year so I'm delighted that I will be back on the European Tour."

Scotland's David Drysdale finished joint third with Australian Jarrod Moseley after a round of 67.

"I turned it around on the back nine. It was pretty good stuff and I was seven under for my last 11 holes," said the Lanarkshire golfer.

"I'm happy with my first 18 holes and the last nine but in between I have been plodding along.

"I just seem to be starting so well and then fizzling out for two rounds and then finishing off better."

Collated final totals (par 72, Gbr & Irl unless stated):

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

273 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 67 68 69 69 (Won at 4th playoff hole), Andrew Butterfield 70 68 69 66

276 Jarrod Moseley (Aus) 70 70 68 68, David Drysdale 67 72 70 67

277 Fredrik Widmark (Swe) 67 67 71 72

278 Michele Reale (Ita) 71 70 71 66, Sebastien Delagrange (Fra) 72 67 66 73, Jesus Maria Arruti (Spa) 67 70 70 71, Benn Barham 73 69 68 68, Shaun P Webster 68 68 73 69

279 Ben Mason 68 68 71 72, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 67 70 70

280 Toni Karjalainen (Fin) 72 72 67 69, Roger Chapman 70 72 69 69, Oliver Whiteley 71 70 70 69, Jamie Spence 70 74 66 70, Martin Wiegele (Aut) 70 69 72 69

281 Michael Jonzon (Swe) 72 68 70 71, Peter Whiteford 70 69 67 75, Tom Whitehouse 66 75 69 71, Kyron Sullivan 70 70 70 71, Cesar Monasterio (Arg) 72 69 68 72

282 Mark Pilkington 71 70 68 73, Michael Hoey 71 73 68 70, Bertrand Cornut (Fra) 69 72 67 74, Leif Westerberg (Swe) 74 68 71 69, Andrew Coltart 72 72 71 67

283 Marc Warren 74 64 76 69, Stuart Manley 75 67 69 72, Anders Hansen (Den) 72 71 69 71, Denny Lucas 71 67 73 72, David Orr 71 69 73 70

284 Benoit Teilleria (Fra) 70 72 69 73, Ivo Giner (Spa) 70 71 71 72, Carlos De Corral (Spa) 73 70 70 71, Edward Rush 71 69 74 70, Ariel Canete (Arg) 75 69 70 70, Iain Pyman 67 72 72 73, Hernan Rey (Arg) 69 70 76 69, Tomas Jesus Munoz (Spa) 72 70 74 68

285 Terry Pilkadaris (Aus) 72 71 67 75, Van Phillips 70 70 72 73, Steven Jeppesen (Swe) 73 66 71 75, Roope Kakko (Fin) 72 69 73 71, Johan Axgren (Swe) 71 71 72 71

286 Stephen Browne 69 73 71 73, Martin Lemesurier 75 68 72 71, Marcus Higley 71 72 70 73, Sven Struver (Ger) 71 71 71 73, Rafael Gomez (Arg) 73 71 71 71

287 Jan Are Larsen (Nor) 70 73 68 76, Jose Manuel Carriles (Spa) 68 75 72 72, David Dixon 69 71 71 76, Titch Moore (Rsa) 70 73 71 73, Craig Williams 68 70 77 72, Mark Mouland 75 66 71 75

288 Gareth Davies 74 70 69 75, Andres Romero (Arg) 74 69 70 75, Diego Borrego (Spa) 73 71 71 73, Paul Eales 75 69 73 71, Peter Kaensche (Nor) 72 72 77 67

289 Sam Little 73 68 74 74, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 69 74 74 72

290 Julien Van Hauwe (Fra) 72 68 83 67, Paul Dwyer 74 69 73 74

291 Daniel Vancsik (Bra) 71 73 78 69, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 73 71 73 74

292 Niels Kraaij (Ned) 72 71 71 78

298 Massimo Florioli (Ita) 70 73 81 74