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Leaney wins German Masters by one stroke over Cejk
by Roy Kammerer
PULHEIM, Germany (AP) ? Australia's Stephen Leaney shot a 5-under-par 67 and beat hometown favorite Alex Cejka by a stroke to win the German Masters.
Leaney had four birdies on the front nine and added another at No. 10, finishing at 22-under 266 for his fourth career victory. He made a 6-inch par putt at No. 18 to secure the $480,000 first-place prize and a five-year exemption on the European Tour, just months before his current exemption was set to expire.
Leaney made his putt immediately after Cejka missed a long birdie attempt that could have forced a playoff.
"It's a thrill - I was quite nervous starting off the day," Leaney said. "It's nice to win a lot of money, but the most enjoyment is making the shots under pressure.
"I just tried to keep the money and the exemption out of my head and key in on my shots."
Cejka, the hometown favorite, offset two bogeys with six pars in the final round to finish at 21-under 265, one stroke ahead of England's Nick Dougherty (66), Wales' Ian Woosnam (68) and third-round leader Paul Casey of England, who shot a 71.
Many of Europe's Ryder Cup players used the tournament to tune up for their match against the United State at The Belfry in England, beginning Sept. 27.
"I had a top 10 finish - to be honest, I was just out there practicing for the Ryder Cup," said Scotsman Colin Montgomerie
Montgomerie closed with a 5-under 67 and finished at 16-under 272. He again threatened to pull out of the Ryder Cup because of a sore back, saying he'll make his final decision at next week's American Express in Ireland.
"My gut feeling is I'm going, but I'll make a decision next week," Montgomerie said. "If I can't play five times, I'm not going."
British Open champion Ernie Els finishing 10 strokes back at 277, and PGA champion Rich Beem missed the cut.
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