DAVID Howell took route 66 to another top 30 finish on the European Tour as his best round of the week at the Open D'Italia in Monza today.

The two-time Ryder Cup star from Swindon shot a six under par final round at Golf Club Milano to end his tournament at 13 under par, six shots behind the eventualy tournament winner Rikard Karlberg, of Sweden.

Howell made an excellent start to his final 18, going out in 33 with birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and seventh, the sole blemish coming at the third.

A run of three birdies in four holes from the 11th rounded off a satisfactory week for the Wiltshire man to earn more vital Race to Dubai points.

Karlberg defeated Martin Kaymer in a play-off to win his first European Tour title after the two-time major winner squandered a three-shot lead on the final day.

Kaymer looked to be in command when he cruised to the turn in 32, but dropped shots at the 10th, 13th and 14th to fall back into a nine-way tie for the lead.

Karlberg birdied three of his last five holes to set the clubhouse target after a closing 67 and saw former world number one Kaymer and Sweden's Jen Fahrbring join him on 19 under with birdies on the 16th and 17th respectively.

Fahrbring bogeyed the 18th to drop into a seven-way tie for third before Kaymer left his birdie putt on the last inches short to ensure more than 72 holes were needed to decide the 72nd Italian Open.

Both players made par on the first extra hole before the 28-year-old Karlberg holed from 20 feet for a winning birdie when they returned to the 18th.