Leaney fired rounds of 64, 71, 69, 69 at Royal Perth Golf Club for a tournament total 15 under 273 to secure a one-shot victory over New South Welshman Callan O’Reilly, who missed a six foot birdie putt on the 18th to force a playoff.

It was Leaney’s 14th career victory and comes 13 years after his last win at the 2004 Western Australian Open. Leaney has now won the title six times, equalling Terry Gale for the most victories.

“It’s been a long day; it’s been a long 13 years I think since I won a golf tournament. I just tried to stay in the moment all week this week. That’s probably as good as I’d done for a long time. I never got ahead of myself and stuck to the task. Good things happen when you do that,” Leaney said.

“I wasn’t watching the leaderboard, I was just trying to play the golf course the best way that I can. I made a bad swing on 14 and it didn’t hurt me because he (O’Reilly) made bogey as well.

“It’s always hard to win golf tournaments, I’ve won a lot and it still doesn’t get any easier. You still go through the same emotions. I was very nervous the last four or five holes.

“It’s been my favourite tournament. It was the first one that I played in. I think I won the Terry Gale Cup as the leading amateur about four times, to win it six times is great.

“I know I tie Terry but I think a couple of wins that I had were only 36-holers so it probably needs an asterisk next to my name and Terry can have the six out by himself.”

Leaney now has his sights set on the senior tours. PHOTO: PGA of Australia

The 48-year-old is now eyeing a tilt at the Seniors Tours and he believes this win is vindication for his hard work off the course.

“My fitness guys back at SA Redbacks (cricket) … Tim Nielsen really kicked me up the butt a couple of years ago and said if you want to turn 50 with a head of steam you’ve got to get into the gym and work out,” Leaney said.

“It’s paid off. It’s nice when you do the work and you suffer in the rain and good things happen when you work hard.

“It’s just validation that I can still win golf tournaments. I haven’t really done that well in the last five or six years. I did play well a few times last year but was never really in contention.

“It’s just nice to win again.”

O’Reilly finished outright runner-up with West Australian Michael Sim two shots back and outright third after shooting a final round 66.

The 2015 WA Open Champion Daniel Fox ended his 2017 campaign outright fourth after spending the year competing on the European Challenge Tour.

Rounding out the top-5 on 10-under were NSW’s Taylor Cooper and Victorian’s Michael Choi, James Marchesani and the leading amateur David Micheluzzi.