Padraig Harrington took another step towards securing his Ryder Cup place - despite being denied a fourth European Tour title in the Malaysian Open.

Harrington lost out to Masters champion Vijay Singh on the third hole of a dramatic sudden death play-off in Kuala Lumpur after the pair had tied on 14under-par 274 at Saujana Golf Club.

But the 29-year-old Dubliner was delighted to have played so well in only his second tournament of the season, his first in the world matchplay in Melbourne having lasted only 17 holes six weeks ago.

"If you had offered me second place coming out here I would have been thrilled not knowing what my form was," said Harrington who finished second in this event last year.

"I've changed my swing and it's very encouraging to finish second knowing that the swing could be better."

Harrington was forced to play 29 holes on Sunday, getting up at 5.30 a.m. to get to the course and complete his third round after a thunderstorm had caused play to be abandoned early on Saturday evening.

Birdies at the 11th and 17th gave him a third-round 68 and two-shot lead over Singh going into the final round but after a birdie at the first, bogeys at the second and fifth left Harrington in a four-way tie for the lead at one stage.

Singh then looked to be in command when he broke out of that log-jam with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th to carve out a two-shot lead over the field.

But a moment of madness then cost the 37-year-old dear when he inexplicably tried to drive the green on the dogleg 36-yard 17th when leading by one, hitting his tee shot out of bounds and running up a double-bogey six.

With Harrington, playing in the group behind, making birdies at the 15th and 16th, the Irishman suddenly had a two-shot lead with two holes to go.

There was still plenty of drama to come, however, as Harrington, not knowing he was suddenly ahead, hit his approach to the 17th over the green and failed to get up and down to save par, while Singh played a superb third shot to the 18th to set up a birdie.

That brought the pair level again and when Harrington missed a 15-foot putt to win on the 72nd hole it was into sudden death.

Both players parred the 18th and then made birdie at their second attempt before the action switched to the 17th hole where Singh coolly two-putted for birdie after driving the green and Harrington missed from six feet.

Singh claimed the £104,000 first prize and his eighth European Tour title but Harrington had the consolation of knowing his £69,779 for second had lifted him to third in the Ryder Cup points standings and within sight of guaranteeing his place in Sam Torrance's side for the Belfry in September.