Graeme McDowell beats Jaidee in World Match Play final

Graeme McDowell made amends for last year's defeat in the final by beating Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee to win the World Match Play Championship.

The Northern Irishman came from two down after four holes to win 2&1 at the Thracian Cliffs course in the Bulgarian coastal resort of Kavarna.

McDowell, 33, had earlier beaten South Africa's Branden Grace 3&2 in their semi-final.

Jaidee saw off another South African, Thomas Aiken, by the same score.

It looked as though the Thai player was on his way to victory in the final after he birdied the second and fourth holes, with McDowell producing several vital par saves on the front nine.

However, the 2010 US Open champion worked his way back into contention and a third birdie at the par-five 14th put him in front.

When Jaidee missed a birdie opportunity at the 15th, McDowell made him pay to go two-up, and he wrapped up the title by holing out to halve the par-three 17th.

It is McDowell's second win in three events after he also captured the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage earlier this month at Hilton Head in South Carolina.

McDowell joins the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and seven-time champion Ernie Els as a World Match Play winner.

"It's very special," said McDowell. "We have been talking all week about how prestigious this event is. I can't say how excited I am to win it and add my name to that list of legends."