Great show at Maybank Malaysian Open 2011

The 50th edition of the Malaysian Open took place with much fanfare last weekend and if one thinks that golf is not loved in Malaysia, they are wrong as there were thousands of fans at the KLGCC (Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club) to catch the action which involved big names like Martin Kaymer, the current number 1 and Charl Schwartzel. The play extended all the way to the 72nd hole, not like previous editions when it didn’t. The tournament concluded with a youngster emerging champion, which have been quite the same over the years. The Open has never produced a Malaysian winner before and was first sanctioned by the European Tour in 1999 after it was expanded into Asia.

The Maybank Malaysian Open became the perfect platform for young golfers to shine and they certainly did that. Noh Seung-Yul of South Korea won last year’s edition who then went on to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit and eventually earning a place in the Majors. This year, it is Matteo Manasero’s turn who became the youngest Malaysian Open in the history of the tournament.

The Italian was up against some very experience golfers to hold his fort including Lee Westwood, the world number 2 and former world number one Vijay Singh who are both former champions here as well.

This would bet the second European Title for Manassero and this meant that he now has an automatic ticket to the Majors. Manassero just turned 18 and with this win meant that he leapfrogs towards 35 in the world rankings. It was a great outing for the Italian in the tournament which came with a lot of drama, experienced golfers as well as uncertain weather conditions. He managed to stay calm amidst all that and this was a remarkable achievement for the teenager.


It was a disappointing outing for Rory McIlroy, the Northern Ireland youngster who nearly staged a dramatic comeback after he fell behind despite taking the lead going into the final day. A bogey in the last killed off any hopes of a comeback for McIlroy who eventually finished third.