Garcia, who has failed to make the playoffs three times this season, finally broke through with his first professional win since the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship on Sunday at Real Club Valderrama.

Garcia extended his four-stroke lead over night leader Lahiri with a five-under par 66 in the third round. Lahiri missed a three-foot putt at No. 18 to drop to 73. Garcia then holed a short putt in a play-off to secure victory and earn $4 million ($5.9 million AUD) for first place.

Garcia was asked if one of the highlights of his career was winning the race in Spain at his favourite venue.

“Without a doubt,” he said.

“Not only that, but Carlos won. Alcaraz won today (at Wimbledon). I hope Spain win tonight (against England at Euro 2024). It would be an incredible weekend.

“Actually, I was talking to my wife, my manager, and I was thinking I’d shoot five under and see what happens. But I played well, I played well in the playoffs. Just a tough hole. But I’m very happy.”

Garcia, who finished the tournament at five-under 208, also saw Fireballs GC defeat Crushers GC in a playoff to win the team competition. Abraham Ancer and David Puig defeated Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey on the first playoff hole for the $3 million ($A4.4 million) team prize.

Lahiri took home the $2.25 million (A$3.32 million) second prize, while England’s Tyrell Hatton (69) finished third at four under, American Patrick Reed (67) and South African Louis Oosthuizen (69) finished fourth at three under.

“Yeah, I felt very sorry for Lahiri,” Hatton said.

“It was a little weird on the 18th green because the crowd was really looking for Sergio to win. Yeah, I mean, I think everybody thought it was going to end there and unfortunately for Lahiri and the Crushers, they had to go into a playoff.

“This is definitely going to be very painful for those guys. From my perspective, it’s good to have another good week going into the Open.”

Cameron Smith (68) shared sixth place at two under, while Australian Marc Leishman (71), Lucas Herbert (70) finished 7 over and Matt Jones (73) finished the race with equal points at 12 over.