By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Shiv Kapur emerged the top Indian in tied 13th place despite twin bogeys on the back nine at the Maybank Malaysian Open golf here Sunday.
Kapur finished with a round of 71 and a total of six-under-282 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf Country Club.
The other two Indians, Jeev Milkha Singh (76) and Anirban Lahiri (72) had troubled final rounds and finished for 47th and 53rd respectively. Jeev, going five one-under through six holes and five-under for the event, ran into a nightmarish patch with five bogeys and no birdies to drop to even par for the tournament. Lahiri, starting with three birdies in first four holes had a quadruple bogey on the ninth and finished with 72.
Kapur, who has had a new coach Jamie Gough for the last few months, said: “I am really happy with this week of golf as it has been a very challenging tournament. I have been really happy with my form over the last couple of months.”
Italian teenager Matteo Manassero gave himself the perfect birthday gift by becoming the youngest ever champion, holding off challenges from Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.
The dashing Italian, who turns 18 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 with a 16-under-par 272 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 $2.5 million showpiece, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Manassero will break into the world’s top-35 with his second career victory.
“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.” said Manassero, who took a winner’s cheque of $416,660.
World number one Martin Kaymer of Germany finished in tied ninth place after closing with a 72 while Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa claimed a share of 11th place with a 70.