Thailand’s Meesawat had looked set for his first European Tour victory when he eagled the third from 20 feet to take the lead and went three clear with another from 50 feet at the long 13th.
However, the 29-year-old bogeyed the next just as Jimenez was recording consecutive birdies.
Meesawat played courageously all day and saved par from 30 feet at the 16th, which was enough to go back in front as Jimenez threeputted the hole behind, only for the Spaniard to thrill the sizeable galleries to birdie the 17th thanks to a well-judged putt from 10 feet.
Manley had started the day with one shot lead, but that was eradicated immediately when he hit a wild tee shot at the first and bogeyed.
The Welshman, seeking a first European Tour title, has had an eventful month since successfully coming through his 10th visit to Qualifying School - notably following a hole-in-one with an 11 at the next hole in November’s World Cup of Golf.
The 34-year-old’s rollercoaster continued as he had four bogeys and four birdies in his first 10 holes, but needing to pick up a shot over the last three holes to make the play-off his chance seemed to have passed when birdie putts at the 16th and 17th slid by and he then missed the green at the last.
However, Manley responded with a brilliant chip-in for a 68 to enormous applause, only to then hit a hospitality tent with his approach on the first extra hole.
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