Klain put his name on the trophy for a second time and first time since 1996, while 17-year-old Leeson had her first success in the three-day event.

Each was crowned at Midlands on Sunday after dramatic finishes.

Klain finished had a three-round total of 218 for a one-shot win over Corey Haase and Travis Tatt.

Haase had an opportunity to win the title with his first putt on last hole, but three-putted to hand Klain the honours.

Klain said he had cut back his time on the golf course significantly owing family and work commitments, with the focus on the social aspects of the game when he now played.

He said this was only his second year playing in this event after a break of more than 10 years.

Klain said it had been a pleasant surprise to win, but most importantly he had enjoyed it.

Klain, who plays off scratch, said he started the event well enough at Ballarat on Friday with a 72, although it could have been so much had he not had a triple bogey on the last after hit into a unplayable lie – the result of where had a tree had fallen.

He then shot a 69 at Buninyong on Saturday before finishing off with 77.

Klain said described conditions on Sunday morning for his last round as fine – “the course is in great shape” – but it was hard day, with putts difficult to drop.

Klain went home after his round to continue preparing to moving house.

He said when a phone call came through from Midlands late afternoon, the best he was hoping for was a play-off.

Leeson, who came from three shots down at the start of the day, bounced back from a double bogey on her second last hole after going into a water hazard to birdie the last and clinch the tournament by two shots from Sophie Byrne.

Leeson said there had been no shortage of pressure throughout the last round, which she played with Byrne and Pascoe.

She said while she was aware of Pascoe’s status throughout the afternoon, she had no idea what’s Byrne’s score was.

Leeson said her three-shot deficit to Pascoe had been reduced quickly and all she could do from that point was focus of shooting the best possible score and hope it was enough to keep Byrne at bay.

Leeson made her debut in this event last year and her win completes a major double after taking out the Ballarat District 37-hole open title.

The teenager, who has represented Golf Victoria once, will now focus on preparing for another Melbourne pennant season with Southern.