Leaney's game and profile at new level
IN: News | European PGA | Linde German Masters (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 16 Sep 2002
Perhaps a somewhat underrated golfer, Stephen Leaney has taken his game and profile to a new level in world golf with his win in the Linde German Masters.
This was Leaney's fourth win in Europe following his Morrocan and Dutch Open (twice) victories and despite the fact that he has now won eleven events as a professional, I think it would be fair to say that this highly talented West Australian has been overlooked when assessments have been made of Australia's leading players. His win this week should help change that.
Leaney signalled that things were back on track earlier this season with his sixth place in the Scottish Open, which secured him a spot in the British Open and from there his form has been very solid. The sixth place last week in Switzerland, suggested that things may get even better but a win of this magnitude and the benefits it would bring may not necessarily have occupied his thoughts leading into this week.
The win, albeit narrowly, from Alex Cjeka brings all sorts of goodies in addition to the 500,000 euros. He is automatically into the American Express this week in Ireland by securing a spot in the top twenty on the Volvo Order of Merit (he is now tenth), he now has a five year exemption on the European Tour and given the strength of the field and significance of the event he will gain plenty of ranking points which, along with his money list position, will afford him starts in key events next season. Suffice to say this was a big win.
It was an almost faultless display by the thirty-three year old, who has now been a pro for ten years. Only the one bogey in seventy-two holes and although he was unable to birdie during the last eight holes, his front nine of 31 set the target for those around him to chase. Many did including Alex Cejka, Paul Casey, Ian Woosnam and Nick Dougherty but Leaney made no mistakes in the run to the line.
Cjeka, although born in Czech Republic, was raised in Germany and had local support in his favour but even that was not enough to get him across the line. Like Leaney he too had finished sixth last week in Switzerland and I imagine, that despite the fact he did not win, the huge cheque for 333,000 euros will be some consolation. Like Leaney it is far and away Cejka's biggest payday in golf.
Peter O'Malley was 15th, Jarrod Moseley 31st, Peter Fowler and Richard Green 57th with New Zealander Stephen Scahill in 66th place.
Final Round - Australasian Scores
1 -22 Stephen Leaney (64-69-66-67)
T16 -12 Peter O'Malley (67-72-68-69)
T31 -10 Jarrod Moseley (70 71 70 67)
T57 -6 Peter Fowler (68-73-72-69)
T57 -6 Richard Green (71-67-72-72)
T66 -3 Stephen Scahill (70-72-70-73)
*** Missed Cut ***
Brett Rumford (76-67)
Michael Campbell (71-74)
Peter Lonard (74-72)
Nick O'Hern (73-74)
Adam Scott (73-76)
Greg Turner (76-74)
Lucas Parsons (79-75)
