Padraig Harrington (Getty Images)

Harrington’s last triumph on Tour was his 2008 win at the US PGA Championship, and the three-time Major Champion showed all his experience under pressure with a closing bogey-free 65 to finish on 23 under.

That was one shot better than Sullivan, who also closed his week at Victoria Clube de Golfe with a 65, and two better than the semi-retired Anders Hansen and Finn Mikko Korhonen – who secured his playing privileges after starting the week 116th in the Race to Dubai.

Another player who made the leap into the all-important top 111 was Oli Fisher, whose round of 64 for an 18 under par total elevated the Englishman to 100th in the Rankings.

But there was agony for playing partner Graeme Storm, whose bogey on the last meant he missed out on 111th place by a mere €100.

In stark contrast, Harrington’s victory took his European Tour tally to 15 and moved him alongside Thomas Bjørn at 15th on the all-time list.