Padraig Harrington made an unscheduled, return journey from Perth Airport yesterday in time to see his friend, Thomas Bjorn, accept a winner's cheque for £108,935. The 26-year-old Dane had birdied the last to capture the Perth Classic at The Vines by one stroke from the 1996 champion, Ian Woosnam.

Harrington was answering a call from tournament officials who feared he might be involved in a play-off. As it happened, the Dubliner's closing 66, for a six-under-par aggregate, was enough for a share of third place with Ernie Els, Peter Baker and Jose-Maria Olazabal and a prize of £28,975.

Bjorn held his nerve on what he described as "a very, very long day," only a week after he had pulled out of an event because of food poisoning. Meanwhile, longtime leader Woosnam struggled in the wind for most of the final round and missed an eight-foot eagle putt on the final green.

The Dane, who fell ill when leading the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand the previous week, said afterwards: "If I'd been closer to home I'd have gone back. But the flight here was shorter, so I came. I'm glad I did."

By his own admission, Harrington believed a six-under total "hadn't a snowball's chance" of being involved in the final shake-up. So, before the leaders - on 11-under - had reached the turn, he and his wife Caroline headed to the airport for a five o'clock flight and a 22-hour trip home to Dublin.

But he reckoned without the so-called "Freemantle Doctor", a stiff breeze off the Indian Ocean which wreaked havoc with the endeavours of the leading players. All of which meant that with a handful of holes to play, Harrington had a chance of making a play-off.

When contacted on his mobile phone at the airport, his luggage was already on the plane. But he sought the advice of Philip Walton, who was booked back on the same flight. "Philip told me I should return to the course," said Harrington. "Later, I couldn't believe the leaders were only six and seven under coming up the last."

The Dubliner had got to six-under himself through a spectacular recovery at the long 18th. His drive landed behind a bush and though the lie was good, he knew he would hit the bush on his follow-through, which he did. By that stage, however, a glorious three-iron of 234 yards was on its way.

"The shot has left both my wrists a bit sore but it was an unbelievable way to finish," he said, after getting down in two putts from 80 feet for a closing birdie, an inward 31 and a best-of-the-day 66. "It was a funny week. I couldn't seem to get anything going until today."

He went on: "I was lying 42nd going out and noting that the wind was beginning to rise. I thought if I could shoot 70, I would jump about 15 to 20 spots, but I never expected to shoot 66." It secured a second successive top-10 finish after a share of eighth place behind Tiger Woods at Phuket.

After winning the inaugural Loch Lomond Invitational 17 months ago, Bjorn was capturing his second European tour title. He was also glad to have given the best possible answer after hearing a week ago that he was the only player involved in the Ryder Cup last September not invited to the US Masters.

"I've sent my message now," he said after a closing 74 for an eight-under-par total of 280, proved to be enough to edge out the Welshman. "It's seems odd to invite 23 of the Ryder Cup players and not 24. But it's out of my mind now and I've set my heart on finishing high enough up the Order of Merit so that I'll be there next year."

After seeing Woosnam fire a superb second shot to the downwind, 517-yard 18th hole, Bjorn, one shot ahead, hit his to 15 feet. His own eagle attempt lipped out so, after tapping in for a birdie, he had to stand and watch his Ryder Cup partner attempt to force a play-off.

But Woosnam pulled it wide, and with a 76 admitted he was lucky to hang onto second place in the end. He had four successive bogeys from the ninth and another at the 17th, while Bjorn failed to save par at the 12th, 14th and 17th. Their birdie finishes, however, edged Harrington out of the reckoning.

Ireland's other two survivors slipped down the field. Putting problems continued to beset Paul McGinley in a second successive 74, which saw him finish in a share of 20th place. Philip Walton appeared to have more extensive problems, however, as a closing 75 pushed him down to a share of 55th.

Meanwhile, pre-tournament favourite Els, caught and beaten by Woods last week after starting the final day eight shots ahead of the American, almost made up a six-stroke deficit this time. His seven-iron approach to the 17th finished two inches away from an eagle two and he just failed with a 20ft eagle attempt at the 18th.