Slattery claims Madrid crown despite wobbles

ENGLAND’S Lee Slattery survived a jittery final hole to claim his maiden win on the European Tour at the Bankia Madrid Masters yesterday.

The 33-year-old from Southport, who was also looking to secure his playing status for next year, had held a two-shot overnight lead but saw that wiped out with early jitters. However, he found birdies on seven, 11, 13, 14 and 15 to engineer a three-stroke lead over Italian Lorenzo Gagli heading up the 18th.

As nerves frayed, Slattery put his third shot into the water. He gathered himself again though, pitching his fifth to within 15 feet and then two-putted for a double bogey to finish on 15 under par, one better than Gagli.