Sport - Golf

Atwal wins Malaysian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: India’s Arjun Atwal won his second Malaysian Open title on Sunday, beating defending champion Peter Hedblom of Sweden on the second hole off a play-off.

Atwal knocked in his par putt on the second play-off hole while Hedblom three-putted, ending an eventful play-off after the pair had been tied at 18-under par 270 after the completion of 18 holes in the final round.

They finished a stroke ahead of England’s Simon Dyson, who was left to curse a two-hour play suspension on the last day that interrupted his winning flow, and Australia’s Kane Webber, who missed a four-foot putt on the last hole that would have put him into the play-off.

Atwal, who also won the event in 2003, birdied the 18th hole to force the play-off, and recorded a final round of 8-under 64 before claiming first prize of $336,226 (euro219,483) in the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event at the Kota Permai course.

“It is an amazing feeling,” Atwal said. “To come here and win this title twice now is incredible.

“In the play-off I thought Peter was in trouble off the tee but he played an amazing recovery and that put the pressure on me. I didn’t think I had a chance starting out and just relaxed from the first hole. It was only on the 11th I felt I had a chance. It is incredible.”

Hedblom came close to winning outright in regulation but his birdie putt on the 18th clung to the lip of the hole and would not drop.

At the first play-off hole the Swede drove into the water but Atwal then hit his iron shot into a bunker and both players eventually recorded a par five.

With darkness rapidly descending due to the long weather delay, and the prospect of having to return on Monday, Hedblom was eager to hole his birdie putt, eventually costing him the play-off. “As it was getting dark I started thinking of that and wanting to win it rather than come back tomorrow and I stressed a little too much on that first putt and hit it too long and missed the one back,” Hedblom said. Briton Simon Dyson carded a three-under 69 on the final day to share third place with Australian Kane Webber (65) on 271, with Italian Francesco Molinari alone at 272 after his 65. South African Charl Schwartzel, Indian Jyoti Randhawa, Argentine Daniel Vancsik and Briton David Lynn tied for sixth on 15-under 273. — Agencies

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