Sim and McKibbin were at 10 under before the German birdied the first playoff hole to seal victory, his sixth on the DP World Tour.
Simm led the field by three strokes over McKibbin going into the final eight holes. Then four bogeys left him one stroke behind on the 18th hole. But Simm holed a 22-foot putt to finish at even-par 71 and force overtime.
“Holting the putt on the 18th hole was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had playing golf, and to do it again in a playoff was awesome,” Sim said.
McKibbin shot a bogey-free 65 in his final round at Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia.
McKibbin received the consolation prize, earning a spot in the British Open along with American Sean Crocker, who finished tied for third with Yannick De Bruyne, one shot off the lead.
Sim, 43, won his first European Tour title more than 20 years ago. He lost his tour card in 2021 but regained it in qualifying last year. Early last year, he won the Indian Open, his first tour title in more than eight years.
Australian David Micheluzzi shot a 7-under 70 in the final round to tie for 10th.
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