Australian golfer Stephen Leaney has withdrawn from the defence of his German Masters title to be alongside his pregnant wife Tracey in Perth.

Leaney left Cologne to join his wife, who was rushed to a Perth hospital after going into premature labour weeks before the couple's first child was due on October 28.

"It was not a difficult decision for me to leave the event but obviously family comes first," said the 34-year-old Leaney.

"Everything is alright at home and I must stress there is nothing wrong with the baby, but I just want to get home.

Leaney said because the baby wasn't due for another six weeks, he arrived in Germany thinking everything was OK and he could play golf over the next three weeks.

"Tracey's doctor said to stay over here and not worry but I have decided to get home," Leaney added.

"I suppose she could give birth tonight when I'm on a flight home but regardless, I'd rather be home than here in Germany."

The Perth-born golfer returned to Europe on Monday in readiness to contest the German event in Cologne and next week's rich Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

The tournaments were to be Leaney's final full European Tour events before taking his place on the 2004 US Tour courtesy of a brilliant second placing in June's US Open.

He is also due to contest the AMEX World Golf Championship in Atlanta from October 2 but that appearance is also likely to be dropped from Leaney's schedule.

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