European Masters: Sergio Garcia put a smile on the face of Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam yesterday by winning the first qualifying event for next year's match.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, who has lost only three of 15 games against the Americans since his debut in 1999, chipped in at the short 16th and parred the last two holes for a one-stroke victory over Swede Peter Gustafsson at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

But a week that earned Garcia £193,277 has also landed him back in trouble with the European Tour. Not for the first time, he faces a possible fine for a show of temper. After three-putting the 17th for a double bogey six in his third round the world number six kicked an advertising sign as he went to the next tee.

Tournament director David Probyn said: "Any breach of normal golfing etiquette is frowned upon and not acceptable. When incidents are reported to us, as this has been, we look into them and deal with them."

At the World Matchplay at Wentworth in 1999 - the year he turned professional - Garcia was reprimanded and warned about his future conduct after slipping on a tee, taking off the offending shoe and kicking it, almost hitting referee John Grant. In the British Open at St Andrews the following summer he was reported for slamming a club into the turf after his ball finished in a divot.

But worst of all was the 2001 Greg Norman International in Sydney. He was penalised for taking a wrong drop when leading the event and in his fury hit a golf buggy and a tree with his sand wedge before criticising chief referee John Paramor.

The European Tour has a policy of not announcing the size of fines, but Garcia was thought to have been fined £5,000 then.

Nevertheless, as far as Woosnam is concerned, this was the perfect start to the 12-month race for places in his team. Garcia is one of the players who makes more appearances in America than in Europe and it would be a real bonus for the side if he can qualify rather than need one of the Welshman's two wild cards.

Gustafsson, who lost a play-off for the Spanish Open in April but had not had a top-30 finish since, threatened to spring a surprise when he closed with a joint best-of-the-week 64. But last year's qualifying school winner was forced to settle for second place again when Garcia safely parred the 17th and 18th after his chip-in birdie on the previous hole.

Paul Casey, his nightmare summer slump behind him, had also caught Garcia with a back-nine run, but he bogeyed the 16th and in the end finished third, one ahead of defending champion Luke Donald and also Welshman Garry Houston.

Casey, who had an eagle and seven birdies but also four bogeys, said: "Overall I am very happy. I can't be too frustrated - I feel I am getting back to where I want to be."

Donald, who stayed with Garcia for the week and can expect to partner him again at the Ryder Cup, commented: "The finish was disappointing. Sergio's chip at the 16th was game over and if I wasn't going to win I am glad he did."

For Houston fourth place matched the best finish of his tour career and secured his place on the circuit for next season. He started the week 126th on the Order of Merit and 433rd in the world.

Garcia took command with a burst of four birdies in five holes from the fifth, but then bogeyed the 10th and, with his annoyance surfacing again, three-putted the long 14th for another to see his four-shot lead disappear. However, with only one win all year - the Booz Allen Classic in America - he was determined not to let another chance slip away.

Ireland's Damien McGrane finished joint 15th for a €24,000 pay cheque with Peter Lawrie claiming €17,000 for a 23rd place finish.