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Atwal captures Malaysian Open
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 24: Overcoming tropical storms that interrupted two days of play, India`s Arjun Atwal took advantage of dry weather on Sunday and fired a sizzling five-under 66 to capture the USD1.1 million Carlsberg Malaysian Open title.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 24: Overcoming tropical storms that interrupted two days of play, India's Arjun Atwal took advantage of dry weather on Sunday and fired a sizzling five-under 66 to capture the USD1.1 million Carlsberg Malaysian Open title.
Atwal, 30, led from the first day of Asia's richest national open and, despite rain-plagued rounds on Friday and Saturday, managed to stay ahead until the end, finishing with a four-day score of 24-under 260 and a check of US$183,330.
South African Retief Goosen, the world number five, closed to within a stroke at one stage on Sunday but had to settle for second spot after carding a three-under 68, for a total score of 20-under 264. Australian Brad Kennedy hit a sensational seven-under 64, the lowest score for the day, to finish joint second. Scotland's Dean Robertson surged into third place thanks to a five-under 66 in the final round.
For Atwal, the Asian number three, the victory was his second in a tournament jointly sanctioned by the European Tours and the Asian PGA. His first was the Caltex Masters in Singapore last year. Atwal, who had to complete his rain-suspended third round on Sunday morning, said that he never thought of winning until the 18th hole. "I played 10 holes this morning and then 18 more," Atwal said. "When you're leading from the first day, it gets to you mentally. I concentrated on my game and did not pay attention to him (Goosen). I didn't want to see him as that may affect the way I play."
Going into the last hole with a three-stroke lead, Atwal looked like he was in trouble when, feeling some rain on the tee box, he rushed his tee-shot and pulled it left. But Atwal recovered sensationally and landed his second shot on the fringe. From there,
he stunned the crowd when he struck the perfect chip to finish with his fifth birdie of the day.
"It was an ideal end for me," Atwal said. "My victory has given me the belief that I can make it in the European Tour. This win told me I am good enough to play in Europe." Goosen said that his putting let him down. "I putted badly," Goosen said. "The greens slowed up this afternoon with the growth. I unfortunately couldn't stroke the ball hard enough. When you putt on quick greens for 10 years and then suddenly slow up, it is difficult to get some feel going. That was my problem today. I left everything short."
Atwal's score of 24-under was three strokes better than Tiger Woods record of 21-under achieved here during the World Cup of Golf in 1999, but it will not be considered a new record because of the 'preferred lie' ruling used due to the soggy conditions.
Bureau Report
For Atwal, the Asian number three, the victory was his second in a tournament jointly sanctioned by the European Tours and the Asian PGA. His first was the Caltex Masters in Singapore last year. Atwal, who had to complete his rain-suspended third round on Sunday morning, said that he never thought of winning until the 18th hole. "I played 10 holes this morning and then 18 more," Atwal said. "When you're leading from the first day, it gets to you mentally. I concentrated on my game and did not pay attention to him (Goosen). I didn't want to see him as that may affect the way I play."
Going into the last hole with a three-stroke lead, Atwal looked like he was in trouble when, feeling some rain on the tee box, he rushed his tee-shot and pulled it left. But Atwal recovered sensationally and landed his second shot on the fringe. From there,
he stunned the crowd when he struck the perfect chip to finish with his fifth birdie of the day.
"It was an ideal end for me," Atwal said. "My victory has given me the belief that I can make it in the European Tour. This win told me I am good enough to play in Europe." Goosen said that his putting let him down. "I putted badly," Goosen said. "The greens slowed up this afternoon with the growth. I unfortunately couldn't stroke the ball hard enough. When you putt on quick greens for 10 years and then suddenly slow up, it is difficult to get some feel going. That was my problem today. I left everything short."
Atwal's score of 24-under was three strokes better than Tiger Woods record of 21-under achieved here during the World Cup of Golf in 1999, but it will not be considered a new record because of the 'preferred lie' ruling used due to the soggy conditions.
Bureau Report