LEE Slattery had the consolation of making it home in time for the birth of his daughter after missing out on a third European Tour title in the D+D Real Czech Masters.
Slattery took a two-shot lead into the final round at Albatross Golf Resort, but could only manage a closing 73 to finish two shots behind South Africa’s Haydn Porteous.
“Obviously I’m bitterly disappointed to have lost but Haydn is a good friend so it always makes it a bit easier,” said Slattery, whose wife Faye is more than a week overdue with their second child.
“I putted well the first few days and today it just let me down a little bit. I missed a few short ones and that was the only difference.
“There’s been a lot going on at home with the baby and moving house, so to have four weeks off and come into this week and finish runner-up is a great achievement.
“To shoot 73 in the last round and lose by two is going to be tough to take, but I’ve been in this position before and won twice so everything balances itself out, so they say.
“Hopefully there will be some really good news when I get home so I look forward to getting home.”
Slattery’s overnight lead was quickly wiped as Porteous birdied the first two holes and after dropping a shot on the fourth, the 23-year-old from Johannesburg also birdied the seventh and ninth to move back in front.
Both men bogeyed the par-five 10th and Porteous also dropped another shot on the 11th, allowing Slattery to regain the lead with just his second birdie of the day on the 13th. He never looked back.
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