DAVID Howell rounded off a decent week's work at the BMW Masters in Shanghai as he added a third successive round under par to finish inside the top 30 at Lake Malaren.

The two-time Ryder Cup star carded a three under par 69 to finish on eight under par in total and tied 24th, earning more precious points in his bid to reach the season-ending finale in Dubai later this month.

Birdies and the sixth, seventh, 13th and 15th - just one shot being dropped at the short 12th, moved Howell up the leaderboard, while there was a dramatic conclusion to the tournament.

Germany's Marcel Siem claimed his fourth European Tour title after a three-man play-off.

Siem missed from six feet on the 72nd hole to win in regulation, but made amends by chipping in for a winning birdie when the players returned to the 18th for the first hole of sudden death.

Ross Fisher and Alexander Levy both had birdie chances to keep their hopes alive but were unable to convert, meaning Levy had squandered a four-shot lead.

The third member of the final group, Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson, had a birdie chance on the 18th to get into the play-off, but left it inches short.

And Gleneagles teammate Justin Rose finished alongside Donaldson on 15 under after a bogey on the same hole in a closing round of 72.