Daly defied by Langer

Bernhard Langer survived a late scare and a final day charge from John Daly to secure his 39th European Tour win – and 11th victory on home soil – here in the German Masters.

Langer, 44, produced a final-round 67 for a 22-under-par total of 266 to clinch a one-stroke victory at Gut Larchenhof, his fourth victory in the tournament which he co-promotes with his brother, Erwin.

The German collected the £278,000 first prize, his biggest cheque in 25 years on tour. It was his second title of the season after going almost four years without a victory until his TNT Dutch Open triumph in July.

Daly missed out on a German double after his BMW International win in Munich, despite playing the last two rounds in 15- under but a closing 65 gave him a share of second place alongside Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson who carded an error-free 67.

Two Englishmen, Roger Chapman and Greg Owen, shared fourth place on 19-under with their compatriot David Lynn and Scotland's Gary Orr another shot back.

Langer began the day a shot ahead and pulled clear despite a determined challenge from Jacobson and Daly. Four birdies and a bogey saw Daly to the turn in 33 before he chipped in for an eagle on the par-five 13th. He then birdied the 15th and 16th to get within a stroke of the lead.

Langer edged two clear again with a birdie on the 15th and, though he suffered a few nervous moments, he could afford a bogey at the last.

''I've got a lot of golf left in me this season and I will keep working hard," said Daly. "Now I want to get into the top 40 on the US money list and make the Masters next year."