Stephen Leaney won the Linde German Masters and with it the largest cheque of his professional career and a five year European Tour exemption when he held of the challenge of home favourite Alex Cejka at Gut Larchenhof.
Leaney shot a closing 67, five under par, for a 22 under par total of 266, one better than playing partner Cejka to claim the €500,000 (£315,541) first prize. Leaney’s fourth European Tour victory lifted him to tenth in the Volvo Order of Merit with €921,292 (£581,411) and with it qualified for the next week’s World Golf Championships – American Express Championship at Mount Juliet in Ireland.
The young English duo of Paul Casey and Nick Dougherty, who both played in victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup teams, shared third place with European Ryder Cup Vice-Captain Ian Woosnam a further shot back on 20 under par 268.
Another Englishman Gary Evans was also celebrating gaining a place in the WGC – American Express Championship after climbing into the top 20 in the Volvo Order of Merit in 19th place after finishing sixth at Gut Larchenhof on 19 under par 269 following a closing 69.
After finding a bunker on the first Leaney managed to save his par and settled the nerves with a birdie on the second after hitting a seven iron to three feet. Another birdie followed on the fourth and then he picked two up two more shots on the seventh and eighth holes for an outward half of 32. A fifth birdie of the round was converted on the tenth to take him clear of the chasing pack and over the remaining eight holes he stood firm with eight pars to claim the title.
“I really was quite nervous starting off the day,” said Leaney. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to play and got a really bad lie in the bunker on the first right under the lip. But I managed to get that up and down and that set the tone for the day. Made a very good putt there and birdie on the next and kept things going from there.
“The exemption is the main thing. It is great to have that under your belt. And it is great to win again. I struggled last year and you always wonder if you will win again. I always knew I would and it is nice to win a big tournament. This is a major golf tournament on what I think is a very difficult course and to shoot those scores is pretty satisfying.
“It is always nice to win a lot of money but for me it is great to put yourself under pressure situations and hit the shots you need to hit. That’s what I did and no amount of money can give you that amount of pressure. That is the most enjoyable part about it.
"The key shot was on the 16th because it is a very hard hole. Hit a great four iron and once I hit that on the green I knew I was going to make enough good swings coming home."
Cejka challenged him all the way picking up six birdies but dropping two shots for a closing 68 but fell one stroke short of forcing a play-off.
“I am more than happy because I achieved my goal of playing all four rounds under 70,” said Cejka. “I knew I needed to hit my wedge close on the last but pulled my shot a little. I was a little nervous but knew I could get up and down and holed a good 20 foot putt on the last to finish second.”
