CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland -- Sergio Garcia chipped in for birdie at the 16th hole Sunday in his 3-under 68 round to win the European Masters by one stroke.

The 25-year-old Spaniard's 14-under total of 270 held off Sweden's Peter Gustaffson, who closed strongly with a 7-under 64 to take second. Paul Casey hit a 66 to finish third, with defending champion Luke Donald and Garry Houston sharing fourth. Donald shot 69 and Houston 70.

Garcia later dedicated the title to a close friend who died Friday from lung cancer. "That was a big hit on my head," Garcia said. "She was a lovely person, very caring."

It was a fine start to the Ryder Cup qualifying year for three of the European players from 2004 -- Garcia, Casey and Donald. The fourth playing at this tournament, Miguel Angel Jimenez, tied for 13th.

Garcia, who whose only other win this year was in the Booz Allen Classic on the PGA TOUR, hit four birdies in five holes. But it was the No.6-ranked Spaniard's 22-yard chip-in on the 16th that staved off Gustaffson, who holed five putts from between 10 and 20 feet.

"I found my putting stroke on the practice green yesterday," said Gustaffson. "Everything got better as the week went on."

Casey, gradually pulling out of a prolonged slump, was content. "I made a lot of birdies, which is good. That was my goal," said Casey, who missed seven cuts starting with the Masters in April. "I can't be too frustrated. I feel I am getting back to where I want to be."

Donald was pleased his close friend Garcia, whose house he shared this week, won if he couldn't. "The finish was disappointing. I parred all the par 5s today when you would expect to be 2 or 3 under," Donald said. "That killed me the last three days. Then I had a horrible lie at the 16th and made bogey while Garcia birdied. That was game over."

The 433rd-ranked Houston loved the final round with Garcia and Donald. "True gentlemen. I've had a very special time," Houston said.

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