The world No 133 fired a six-under final round of 66 to set a clubhouse target of 15-under for the tournament, but England’s Fitzpatrick birdied the 18th hole to force a play-off.

Pavan birdied the second sudden-death hole, though, carving an excellent short iron out of the rough to just a few feet from the flag as Fitzpatrick failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker.

It was the 30-year-old’s second Tour victory after also triumphing at last year’s Czech Masters.

“It’s amazing. I thought I had a chance starting the day,” he told europeantour.com.

“Two years ago at this moment I was really struggling. I can’t thank enough my coach, my caddie, my family, my wife – it’s really amazing.”

The 34th-ranked Fitzpatrick remains without a win this season despite racking up his third runner-up effort, having also impressed in finishing tied for 12th at last week’s US Open.

Overnight leader Jordan Smith ended in a seven-way tie for third, two shots behind the top duo, alongside Spaniards Rafael Cabrera Bello, Alvaro Quiros, Italy’s Edoardo Molinari, South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout and the in-form Matt Wallace.