Cologne, Germany (My Sportsbook) - James Kingston defeated Anders Hansen with a par on the first playoff hole Sunday to win the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Kingston rolled in a five-foot putt to capture his second career win in his 199th start on the European Tour.

The 43-year-old South African closed with a three-under 69 in the final round at Gut Larchenhof, missing a chance to win in regulation when he bogeyed the 17th hole with a one-shot lead.

Hansen, who was chasing his fourth victory, fired a five-under 67 and was already in the clubhouse at 13-under 275 when Kingston bogeyed 17.

In the playoff, which was contested at the par-four 18th, Hansen sprayed his second shot into a greenside bunker, while Kingston's approach rolled to the back fringe.

Hansen blasted out to six feet -- a nice shot -- and Kingston opted to use his putter from the fringe, rolling it to about five feet. After Hansen watched his par attempt lip out, Kingston drained his for the win.

It was raining steadily and growing dark in Cologne, so Kingston must have been happy to get the playoff over with on the first hole.

The win was especially sweet considering he hadn't even made a cut since the British Open in July -- a streak of four missed weekends.

"A week ago I didn't even know I was in the event," Kingston said. "I got in through last year's rankings, so to come out and win a championship like the Mercedes-Benz Championship on a golf course like this makes it more special.

"I would probably have spent a few more days at home this week, but it shows how things can change."

Several other players were in contention Sunday, only to fall short.

Peter Hanson, the third round leader, bogeyed the 17th hole to drop out of a tie for first place -- a position he had earned with a curling left-to-right birdie putt on the previous hole.

Hanson then parred the 18th to shoot a 71 and share third place with Simon Dyson (70) and Soren Hansen (70) at 12-under 276 -- one stroke out of the playoff.

Dyson birdied the 11th hole to tie Kingston for the lead, but finished with seven consecutive pars. Soren Hansen moved within one shot when he birdied the 15th, but was unable to pick up another stroke on his final three holes.

Kingston, who birdied two holes on the front nine, tied Anders Hansen for the lead with a birdie at the 13th. He then rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt at the 15th to take a one-shot lead at 14-under.

Hansen fell two strokes back when he bogeyed the 16th, but he rebounded with a birdie on the 17th to move within one. The 38-year-old Dane -- already in the clubhouse -- earned his spot in the playoff when Kingston finished his round bogey-par.