NEW dad Paul Casey declared he was "over the moon" after winning the KLM Dutch Open - as a fellow competitor faced the possibility of being blasted into space.

Casey carded a closing 66 at Kennemer to claim his 13th European Tour title just two weeks after his fiancee Pollyanna Woodward had given birth to a baby boy.

The Englishman finished on 266, 14 under, one shot ahead of Simon Dyson and two ahead of another compatriot, Andy Sullivan.

On top of his third-place cheque Sullivan also picked up return ticket to space, his £70,000 prize for a hole-in-one on the 15th.

But it was Casey who was out of this world yesterday after starting four shots off the lead.

He made an ideal start with four birdies in his first seven holes as he chased down overnight leader Romain Wattel.

Dyson made a birdie on the last to complete a flawless 65, cutting the lead to a single shot.

But Casey held his nerve to seal victory.

He said: "I'm over the moon. First tournament as a dad, first win as a dad. I'm a bit emotional to be honest. I played without a care for three and a half days because I knew I was going to go home to see my baby.

"Then I got to the last three holes and thought, 'I really want this'.

"Having my first child was a great distraction. I did very little practice as I spent as much time at home as possible."

Sullivan admitted he was unsure about taking up the offer from XCOR Aerospace of a flight on their new spacecraft.

An understandable reaction perhaps, given that during last week's European Masters in the Swiss Alps he had required treatment for altitude sickness.

Describing how he had aced the 163-yard 15th, he said: "My caddie took out a nine iron and told me to try to cut it in there. Luckily it came off and it went in.

"But I'm not sure if I'll go into space. I'll need to check with the missus.

"I'm not great with heights or flying. I might have to pluck up some serious courage. Then again, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I'll have to do it."

Scotland's Richie Ramsay finished five behind Casey after a closing 72, while Marc Warren shot a 70 for 277.