Leishman wins by 6 strokes in Sun City to pick up 1st European Tour title

Marc Leishman of Australian, plays a shot on the 2nd fairway during the final round of the Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

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Marc Leishman of Australian, hits out of a bunker on the 2nd green during the final round of the Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

Marc Leishman of Australia acknowledges the crowd as he walks into the 18th green for the final round of the Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

SUN CITY, South Africa – Marc Leishman picked up his maiden European Tour title on Sunday as he won the Nedbank Challenge by six strokes.

The Australian, who started the final round ahead of Henrik Stenson by one shot, carded a 5-under 67 to finish 19 under for the tournament and win $1.25 million.

The 32-year-old Leishman's previous best finish on the tour was at this year's British Open, when he lost a playoff to Zach Johnson.

Three straight birdies either side of the turn meant that Stenson only trailed by two shots with eight holes to play, but the Swede finished poorly to shoot a par 72 on the day.

England's Chris Wood enjoyed one of the best rounds of the day, carding 68 to finish third on 9 under.