Matteo Manassero became the youngest ever Maybank Malaysian Open champion when he brilliantly held off the challenges from Gregory Bourdy and Rory McIlroy on Sunday. The dashing Italian, who turns 18 on Tuesday, produced a superb final round of four-under-par 68, thanks largely to a pivotal eagle three on the 10th hole to triumph by one from Frenchman Bourdy, who battled to a 67.
A week after his Masters disappointment where he led for 63 holes before fading away, McIlroy produced a brave fight in the US$2.5 million showpiece, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary and sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
The Northern Irishman, the world number nine, battled magnificently on the back nine to give himself a title chance but failed to find the crucial birdie at the last hole to force a play-off with Manassero as he settled for third place with a 69.
Manassero, who will break into the world’s top-50 with his second career victory, said: “It’s fantastic. I managed to achieve a victory which is just fantastic. To have another win two days before 18, it’s a great achievement.”
The Italian completed his third round this morning with a 67 to enter the final round tied for the lead with Alexander Noren of Sweden and showed his immense talent by emerging atop a crowded leaderboard in the end.
He needed two crucial up and downs for par saves on the eighth and nine holes to turn in 35 before producing the shot of the week by holing holed out a nine iron approach for an eagle three at the par five 10th hole to grab the lead from Bourdy.
Two more birdies and a lone bogey ensured Manassero, who eclipsed last year’s winner Noh Seung-yul of Korea as the youngest champion, stayed ahead of the chasing pack as he picked up the Seagram Trophy from Malaysian prime minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak and a winner’s cheque of US$416,660.
“The up and downs on eight and nine were very big. They left me on top of the leaderboard at one behind Bourdy at the time. Two great up and downs from the bunker and then holing a nine iron on 10 (for eagle) was maybe the turning point and made me think of the possibility of winning,” said Manassero, who was last season’s Rookie of the Year in Europe.
“It wasn’t easy. It was tough. The course is really tight and all the players were doing good and playing well. It’s just not easy to concentrate, especially to stay calm. I managed quite well. Fortunately I ended up like this.”
Asked how he planned to celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, Manassero said he would be looking at altering his playing schedule as a place in the world’s top-50 would get him into the Majors.
“I’m just buying a few majors and the TPC (The Players Championship) right now. It will definitely change. I will get into the top-50 which was my main goal.”
Bangladesh’s Siddikur was the top Asian Tour finisher at eighth place after he signed off with a 69 to finish seven shots behind the winner while world number one Martin Kaymer of Germany was a further shot back after closing with a 72.
Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa claimed a share of 11th place after a 70 while Danny Chia, the lone Malaysian who made the halfway cut, settled for tied 42nd position with a final round 76.
