Manassero Wins Early Birthday Present

Matteo Manassero wins Maybank [Courtesy AsianTour]

Matteo Manassero earned himself a €288,465 birthday present with his second European Tour win at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The Italian, who turns 18 on Tuesday, started the celebrations early as a closing 68 helped him finish 16 under and see off challenges from Grégory Bourdy and Rory McIlroy.

“I couldn’t imagine anything better – going back home to celebrate my 18th birthday and my second victory on The European Tour,” he said, after climbing to 35th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I’ll have a big dinner and celebrate both.

“It’s great to be able to celebrate both together. I’m just now concentrating on being in the top 50 now and getting into all the Majors. I’m very happy about this achievement.”

Having become The European Tour's youngest ever winner in Spain last year, Manassero now holds the top two positions on that list - Danny Lee was seven months older when he won the Johnnie Walker Classic.

He is also the second teenager in a row to win the event, following Noh Seung-yul's triumph 12 months ago. 

The leaders had 27 holes to play on the final day after six hours of weather delays earlier in the week, with McIlroy immediately extending his two shot overnight advantage to three with a birdie at the par five tenth.

But the 21 year old Northern Irishman was passed by Manassero and Alex Noren before the end of the third round after dropping two shots at the short 15th.

Manassero, on the other hand, birdied both par threes on the back nine for a 67 that left him 12 under with a round to go alongside Noren - who had driven the green at the par four 16th and eagled.

Bourdy produced his second electric start of the weekend when the final round teed off - having birdied five of the first six in his third round he reeled off four in a row from the third.

A dropped shot at the eighth and a double bogey three holes later looked to have cost the Frenchman, but the three-time European Tour winner posted three birdies on the way in to set the clubhouse target at 15 under.

McIlroy was right in contention with three birdies in four holes around the turn, but three-putted the 12th for a double bogey which looked to have ended his chances.

Manassero had one birdie courtesy of a drawn approach to six feet at the second in an outward 35, but when he holed his approach to the par five tenth for eagle he was level with Bourdy.

An eight foot birdie putt at the next put him ahead, but he missed a six footer for par at the next.

He coolly converted a downhill ten footer at the 14th that left him needing to par the last four, and the former British Amateur Champion belied his tender years as he calmly set about the job without any drama.

“It feels amazing - it’s a great achievement,” said Manassero. “As I always say I could never have expected it all to have one win before I was 18 and now I’ve got two.

“I had a really good week from the beginning. I didn’t miss many shots apart from the second round when I didn’t play great but I was still able to finish well and get in contention. I had a really good weekend and managed to get the win.

“It’s a great achievement after just 11 months of professional golf. It’s a great achievement for myself and gets me into the Majors – I just missed Augusta but playing the other three will be fantastic. I’m really proud of that and the next target will be winning another tournament and keeping the momentum going. It’s going well and we’ll see what happens."

Manassero also paid tribute to Seve Ballesteros, who he described as his golfing hero.

“He is and will always be,” he added. “I grew up watching Costantino, Seve and Tiger. I thought Seve was the kind of player I wanted to be.

“The crowd was cheering for him and he was different to everyone else. He is a great person and a symbol of what a person should be. He sent me a letter after I won in Spain. That was nice.”

McIlroy briefly threatened to mount a storming comeback, holing from eight feet for birdie at the 16th and then hitting a stunning approach to within three feet at the next as he closed the gap to one.

Needing a birdie at the par five last he was on the green in three but his birdie putt never threatened the cup and by three-putting he finished third behind Bourdy.

“At this moment I’m pretty disappointed but it was a good week,” said McIlroy. “I started off really well in the tournament. To shoot the scores that I did considering the travelling is a pretty good effort.

“That little stretch of birdies were good (at the 14th, 16th and 17th). I knew I needed them.

“It was unfortunate on the last. I thought it was a good drive but I hit it on the upslope of the bunker and hit an eight iron into the green and it was a difficult putt.

“It has been a good week, I enjoyed coming to Kuala Lumpur. I’m disappointed with the result but everything else was positive. I’m proud of myself at how I picked myself up from last week and the way I came back on the back nine today.”

“Matteo is fantastic. He is a great talent -to get two wins on the European Tour before your 18th birthday is pretty special. He is great and we’ve known he is a great player. He deserves it.”

Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello matched Bourdy’s closing 67 to finish tied fourth with Noren, while Masters Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel improved to 11th over the weekend with rounds of 67 and 70.

Peter Lawrie finished in  a share of 17th place after a final round 70 left him signing for a 4 under par total and cheque for €14,835.

Gareth Maybin ended the tournament on level par with a final round 70.

Maybank Malaysian Open Results

Manassero Makes Maybank Malaysian Move

Matteo Manassero

Italy’s Matteo Manassero edged closer to an early birthday present as he took a share of the third round lead with Alexander Noren of Sweden at the US$2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday.

Manassero posted a flawless five-under-par 67 while Noren remained in contention with a 71 for a 204 total at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was the outright leader after 14 holes before dropping a costly bogey on 15 for a third round 72. He is one stroke from the leaders in the tournament which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and co sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and Felipe Aguilar of Chile trail closely in tied fourth on a 206 total.

Manassero celebrates his 18th birthday next Tuesday and continued his relentless charge when he returned with two birdies in nine holes this morning.

“I had a good practice session and was hitting the ball a lot better. I kept it going this morning hitting some good shots. I’ve not missed a green this morning. It was a pure round,” said Manassero, who was last year’s rookie of the year in Europe.

“I could have done better but I’m happy – it puts me in contention. It will be a good final round. It would a great birthday gift if I could win today,” added the Italian.

McIlroy is looking to make amends after last week’s Masters disappointment where he led for 63 holes before a final round 80. He was on track for the outright lead before a bogey on hole 15 where his tee shot landed on the slope and went down hill.

“I got off to a nice start with a birdie at ten. I played decent but couldn’t get anything going. There’s still a long way more to go,” said the 21-year-old.

Danny Chia Maintains Malaysia Interest

Dannu Chia

Malaysia’s Danny Chia enjoyed the company of Major champions Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa during the third round of the Maybank Malaysian Open on Saturday.

Chia, the sole bearer of the Malaysian flag at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, was even-par through 11 holes to lie in tied 55thplace in the tournament which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The third round was suspended due to darkness and will resume at 7.40pm on Sunday.

He returned this morning to complete the second round and had approximately seven hours of rest before his third round tee off. The break was the perfect tonic for Chia, who endured a sleepless night.

“I was quite confident of returning with a good score when play was suspended yesterday but I received a lot of phone calls at night (Friday) telling me that I’m the only Malaysian with a chance of making the cut. That got me thinking a lot and I couldn’t get enough sleep,” said the 39-year-old.

He posted four birdies against as many bogeys and was delighted with the experience of playing with newly crowned Masters winner Schwartzel and 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen.

He will have the opportunity to play with them again as there will not be a re-draw in the final round.

“I learned how they swing, how they hit the ball. It was good, we had fun on the golf course. I'm trying my best to not make any bogeys but I can’t stop hitting badly. I’ll try to salvage my round tomorrow,” he added.

Chia, who has won once on the Asian Tour, is also the first Malaysian to play in all four rounds of the British Open last year.

He was tied for the lead after the second of the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2008 before a disastrous third round 80. He came close again in the following year where he took the halfway lead before signing off in tied 11th place.

McIlroy Holds Club House Lead into Sunday

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy holed a ten foot birdie putt at his last hole of the day to establish a two shot clubhouse advantage after day three of the Maybank Malaysian Open.

A rain delay of three hours and 25 minutes, coupled with two and a half hours lost to lightning on Friday, meant the leaders could only complete nine holes of their third round before dark at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Northern Irishman McIlroy shared the halfway lead on 11 under with Sweden's Alex Noren, and the 21 year old kept his nose in front with eight consecutive pars at the start of his round.

Former Omega European Masters champion Noren mixed three birdies with two bogeys and a five at the par three fourth to be ten under - and he will return to a lengthy birdie putt on the ninth on Sunday morning.

France's Gregory Bourdy made the most significant move of the day with five birdies in his first six holes.

He added another at the eighth and then holed from six feet at the tenth to briefly share the lead, only to bogey the 13th.

However, the three-time European Tour winner was still six under for his round with five to play and tied for second with Noren and Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

Manassero, who turns 18 on Tuesday, first had the job of completing his second round when he returned to the course and birdies at the last two holes lifted him to a share of fourth place.

And an outward 33 saw the former British Amateur Champion move into contention for a second European Tour title.

Chile's Felipe Aguilar amazingly started his round with five birdies in a row, and after a par at the sixth a dazzling approach left him a tap-in birdie at seven.

Looming large alongside him on nine under is World Number One Martin Kaymer, whose precision iron play saw him play the 15 holes possible in six under par - the highlight his tee shot to within a foot at the par three eighth.

Malaysian Open Weather Bowling Break

Rory McIlroy

Newly crowned Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, world number one golfer Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy traded golf balls with bowling balls during the second round suspension of the Maybank Malaysian Open on Saturday.

The second round of play was suspended due to unplayable conditions and the players were seen blazing the lanes in the bowling alley at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Play was suspended for three hours and 25 minutes and the trio put their free time to use by pitting themselves in a round of bowling.

World number nine McIlroy currently holds a share of the second round lead on 11-under-par 133 with Alexander Noren of Sweden. 

Hoey Missed Cut as Play Suspended Again

Matteo Manassero of Italy finished with back-to-back birdies to lie four shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Alexander Noren at the conclusion of the Maybank Malaysian Open second round.

Manassero, who had posted an opening round six under par 66, had struggled by comparison in his second round, which was delayed by nearly three hours on Friday due to lightning.

And after the 17 year old managed to complete his round, torrential rain came down, which forced the remaining groups off at 9.45am with Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club flooded and led to a delay of almost three and a half hours.

“It was very important to finish with two birdies,” said Manassero.” I didn’t play as well as the first day. It was stop start and not easy to keep your rhythm. It was not an easy day but I was happy to have finished with two birdies to be in fourth position and we’ll see what happens on the weekend.

“You take confidence from a finish like that because I was struggling and to finish under par with two birdies on 17 and 18 gives you confidence and its two less shots meaning I’m coming into the weekend four behind the leaders.

“I’m going to practice a little bit and see if I can fix a few things. I’m quite positive. I like the course. I just need to work on the consistency of the shot – try to strike each one a little better.”

Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel also signed for a 71 after finishing his second round with five straight pars. The South African made it through to the weekend right on the cut mark of level par, along with compatriot Louis Oosthuizen, the Open Champion.

“This morning I actually started playing better than I did the first two days,” said Schwartzel. “I actually started swinging pretty much how it had felt like the last couple of weeks. Yesterday I was a bit conscious about being better but myself and Louis have not made a single putt on these greens. We’re pulling our hair out. We’ve not made any, putting it mildly.

“But my swing felt better. If we can hang in there to make the cut and then have a good weekend and fire a low one. It’s definitely feeling better.

“Coming from Augusta where it is like a snooker table to playing on greens where there is a lot of grains and really slow makes it quite difficult. I’m just not finding the lines. I’m actually hitting good putts but there not going in the hole. That’s a positive. My swing feels better and if I can keep putting and they start dropping I can make some birdies.

Michael Hoey missed the cut after it remained at level par when the second round was completed on Saturday.

Noh Misses Chance to Defend Maybank Title

Noh Seung-yul [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Title holder Noh Seung-yul of Korea bowed out from the US$2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open on Saturday but is upbeat of bouncing back into form.

Noh, the youngest ever Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, shot an even-par 72 for a two-day total of one-over-par 145, one stroke from the halfway cut at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Noh played with newly crowned Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and reigning British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and was disappointed not to join the duo in the last two days of the tournament co sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

“My swing was horrible and the ball was flying every where. I played badly,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.

Noh worked on his swing with world renowned swing guru Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods’ former coach, in February and said he was struggling to cope with the new swing changes.

“I changed my swing two months ago and had a finger injury as well. I’m still coping with my new swing but I’m confident to bounce back with a little bit more practice. I like my new swing a lot but it needs some time for me to get used to,” added the Korean.

Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen finished above the cutline and will join second round leaders Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Alexander Noren of Sweden and world number Martin Kaymer of Germany in the last two rounds.

Among the other big names who missed the halfway cut include Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who won the SAIL Open in India last month, Nick Dougherty of England and Todd Hamilton of the United States, a former British Open champion in 2004.

A total of 75 players made the cut.

Danny Chia Leads Asian Tour Hopes

Danny Chia [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Danny Chia emerged as Malaysia’s sole hope at the US$2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open on Friday. 

The Asian Tour winner was one under par for the tournament through 12 holes of his second round which was suspended due to darkness after play was halted for two hours and 40 minutes in the afternoon because of a lightning storm.

He was one stroke inside the projected halfway cut mark of even par but will have to negotiate his remaining six holes without further blemishes on the card on Saturday morning.

Chia’s card included two ugly double bogeys on the second and ninth holes but he shot four birdies to turn in 36 before settling for pars in his next three holes after the turn.

M. Sasidaran has four holes to get at least two birdies and move into the cut mark. He was one under through 14 holes when play was stopped, standing at two over for the tournament.

Ben Leong, Malaysia’s best performer on the opening day, struggled through 11 holes of his second round, dropping five bogeys to drop to four over for the tournament.

A total of 22 Malaysians are competing in the Maybank Malaysian Open, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Rory McIlroy and Alexander Noren share the clubhouse lead on 11-under-par 133.

McIlroy and Noren Set Hot Pace in Malaysia

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy charged into a share of the second round lead alongside Alex Noren at the Maybank Malaysian Open - and the Northern Irishman is determined to complete the job this week.

"I was in this position last week - leading going into the weekend - and I've led going into a few weekends this year and haven't quite got the win so hopefully this will be the week to get it," said the World Number Nine.

"If I can win then hopefully it will be the springboard to more victories this year."

Peter Lawrie carded a round of 71 with a slow start on the way to the turn in 38 shots and then picking up three birdies on the home stretch to finish 3 under par overall for the tournament, and well inside the projected cut.

Gareth Maybin played a flawless round, with only one birdie at the 16th, to sign for a one under par round and finish level for the tournament with a wait until Saturday to be certain he has done enough.

Michael Hoey shot a two under par 70 on Friday and unable to further improve his one over par total and looks set to miss out with the projected cut at level par.for the top 61 and ties.

McIlroy matched Noren's opening eight under par 64 on day two at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to join the Swede on 11 under par, while a delay of over two and a half hours because of lightning left half the field unable to complete their second rounds.

They will resume on Saturday morning and the third round will then not commence before 1100 once the cut is made.

The third round will be a two-tee start, looped draw, with the leaders teeing off last from the first tee.

McIlroy's round was highlighted by a string of his trademark pinpoint approach shots, his bogey-free round all the more remarkable considering he has flown halfway across the globe since the Masters Tournament and was unable to practice before his first round after his clubs arrived late.

McIlroy had suggested after his opening 69 that others were more upset about his disappointing final round in Georgia than he was.

And he certainly didn't seem too hung up as he reeled off three birdies in his first four holes after teeing off at the tenth.

He added back-to-back gains at the 16th and 17th, the first from 12 feet, to turn in a five under 31, and three more birdies on the way in completed a bogey-free round.

"I went out and played well," said McIlroy. "I have done for a couple of days but the difference was I holed a couple of putts.

"It feels good - I've got my swing in a nice groove. I feel comfortable shaping it both ways. I've been driving the ball pretty good which you need to around here. It's been really good, I've not missed many shots.

"I'm feeling good. I played well last week and I've continued that on to this week."

Asked whether he needed to prove a point by winning the former Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner added: "It would show more to everyone else other than myself that last week didn't set me back. I've started this week off great but I need to keep going and making birdies and shooting low scores if I want to win.

"Eleven under after two days here is a great effort considering I've travelled so far and not seeing the course. I'm happy with how I played."

Former Omega European Masters champion Noren mixed four birdies with a solitary dropped shot in his three under par effort - the highlight an approach to five feet at the fifth.

Like McIlroy, England's Simon Dyson signed for a 64 which left him one off the pace in the clubhouse.

The top three had opened up a sizeable lead over the rest of the field - Australian Brett Rumford and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher tied for fourth on seven under.

World Number One Martin Kaymer had a one under 71 to be three under at the halfway stage, while on the course golf's newest Major Champion Schwartzel was just inside the projected cutline.

The South African was one under for his round with five left to play to sit alongside Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen on level par.

Italian Matteo Manassero, who turns 18 on Tuesday, was level par for his round with five to play and alongside Australian Scott Barr the best placed of those still on the course - both six under and five off the pace.

Leader board

Play Suspended in Malaysia Open R2

Alex Noren [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Play in the Maybank Malaysian Open will resume at 07.40hrs local time on Saturday following a 2hr 38min delay to the second round.

Lightning forced the players off at 15.37hrs on Friday, meaning none of the afternoon groups completed their second round.

They will do so on Saturday morning and the third round will then not commence before 11.00hrs following the cut. The third round will be a two-tee start, looped draw, with the leaders teeing off last from the first tee.

On the course, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero was level par for the day through 13 holes, keeping him at six under par, five shots adrift of leading duo Rory McIlory and Alexander Noren. 

Leaderboard

McIlroy Shoots Lights Out in Malaysia Day 2

Rory McIlroy at Maybank [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Rory McIlroy lit up the Maybank Malaysian Open with a sensational eight-under-par 64 in the second round to hold the joint clubhouse lead with Alexander Noren on Friday.

The Northern Irishman, who arrived in Malaysia on the back of a heartbreaking loss at the Masters Tournament where he led for 63 holes, produced the fireworks with eight birdies in an unblemished round at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Sweden’s Noren, the overnight leader, battled to a 69 in the US$2.5 million showpiece which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

England’s Simon Dyson, the Asian Tour number one in 2000, matched McIlroy’s stunning round with a 64 to move up to third, one shot back.

The 21-year McIlroy, who has a two-day total of 11-under-par 133, took full advantage of ideal scoring conditions with an outward 31 before adding three more birdies coming home.

“Today I went out and played well. I have done for a couple of days but the difference was I holed a couple of putts. It feels good. I’ve got my swing in a nice groove. I’ve been driving the ball pretty good which you need to around here. It’s been really good. I’ve not missed many shots. 11 under after two days here is a great effort considering I’ve travelled so far and not seeing the course,” said McIlroy, who is chasing a third professional victory.

He put himself in prime contention to win the Maybank Malaysian Open a week after suffering a Masters disappointment where he tumbled out of the lead with a closing 80.

Since arriving in Kuala Lumpur, McIlroy has been looking on the bright side of things and knows that a win on Sunday would be the perfect comeback.

“It would show more to everyone else other than myself that last week didn’t set me back. I’ve started this week off great but I need to keep going and making birdies and shooting low scores if I want to win,” he said.

Noren, winner of the 2009 Omega European Masters which is also sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, suffered in the heat and humidity, dropping a bogey on his 16thhole after four earlier birdies on the card..

“I had a great 14 holes but the heat got to me because it was so hot and I was just counting how many holes I had left,” admitted Noren. “I started very nicely and hit two greens on the par fives in two and made easy birdies. It was fun.

“The more times you lead, the easier it is to get the win. But I think by competing a lot, you get used to everything that happens in competitions. You know what you need to do to prepare for competitions and get better from there.”

Dyson has a great affinity to Asia as he won the Order of Merit crown in his rookie professional season thanks largely to three victories in the region in 2000. Like McIlroy, he was bogey-free and fired eight birdies.

“I don’t play too bad out here. I don’t know what it is. It might be the success I had in 2000. I come out here and always seem to fancy my chances,” said the Englishman.

It was a great turnaround as Dyson felt ill on Thursday en route to an opening 70.

“I wasn’t feeling my best yesterday and went back to my room and straight to bed. I woke up this morning and felt better again and managed to get it going with eight birdies and no bogeys. I’m really pleased with that.”

Leader board

Leong Leading Asian Tour Contender

Ben Leong 

Ben Leong shrugged off an injury scare from playing basketball to emerge as Malaysia’s leading contender in the opening day of the US$2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open on Thursday.

Leong, winner of the 2008 Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters on the Asian Tour, traded three birdies against a lone bogey for a two-under-par 70 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Sweden’s Alexander Noren holds the lead with a sizzling 64, with Italian teenager Matteo Manassero two back. India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, Australian Darren Beck and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland share third place on 67s.

Malaysia’s Danny Chia scrambled to a 71 to be the next best local challenger in the US$2.5 million showpiece, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week. The Maybank Malaysian Open is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Seasoned campaigner Iain Steel carded a 72 but local amateur Chan Tuck Soon was flying high, lying at two under through 17 holes when play was suspended for the day at 7.05pm due to lightning. He will return to the course at 8.30am to complete his last hole.

Leong was delighted with his start, especially after hurting his back last week while shooting hoops. “I’m right in there. Three more days to go and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s round. I don’t have a target for this tournament because I’m struggling with my golf game. I wasn’t well last week and I’m just glad to be competing. I want to try and get back into the groove,” said Leong.

“I played basketball and hurt my back. It wasn’t a smart move but I was fortunate enough to recover to play here. I hit a lot of greens. Tee to green, it was good. Out here you need some luck on the greens and I’m satisfied with what I shot.

“A 70 in any tournament is always a good score,” he added.

Chia fired five birdies but errant driving saw him drop four shots. “I’m quite pleased with my round because I wasn’t hitting it good, I only hit six fairways,” said Chia, Malaysia’s first winner on the Asian Tour when he won the 2002 Taiwan Open.

“I had good recovery shots and I am happy with my putting. My driving let me down. I was hitting them too hard. I tried to go with big drives on the par fives and ended up making bogeys.

“I’m going to try and be patient. One-under looks far away but hopefully I can inch my way to the top in the next few days. There’s nothing much I could do about my score because I was hitting it badly. Hopefully I can do better tomorrow.”

Alex Noren Leads Maybank Malaysia Open

Alex Noren at Maybank Malaysia Open

Rory McIlroy leads the Irish challenge after carding a three under par 69 at the the opening round of the Maybank Malaysian Open to put himself in contention dropping just one shot at the 14th.and carding four birdies in Kuala Lumpur.

Peter Lawrie was a stroke behind on 2 under with the Dubliner signing for two bogeys.

Gareth Maybin dropped five shots in total but birdied holes either side of the turn to limit the damage to a 73.

Michael Hoey was two shots further adrift following double bogeys on 11th and 18th as he reached the turn, then finishing on the ninth with a round of 75 for a 3 over par total.

Alex Noren of Sweden fired an eight under par 64 to open a two shot advantage after the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The 28 year old carded nine birdies with a single bogey at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to lead Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

And just four days after his Masters Tournament disappointment there was a strong showing from Rory McIlroy, who carded a three under par 69 to put himself right in contention.

Noren began his round at the tenth and reeled off a hat-trick of birdies, and further gains at the 16th and 17th saw him turn in 34.

And while most of the field found the going tougher on the front nine, the former Omega European Masters winner picked up four more birdies - having strengthened his game during a two-week break.

"I was really nervous going into this round. I don't know why. I'm normally nervous after a little break," he said.

"I had two weeks off and I worked a lot harder on my game these two weeks than before. I really felt coming in that you only play one round and it didn't feel the same.

"I started off holing a nice putt on ten, 11 and 12 and thought what's going on. I had bogey on 14 and then I managed to putt well.

"My putter was great today. After that my driver was steady then it was all about getting it close enough. I felt lucky at times when they kept rolling in but you have to have that sometimes. I holed a lot from six over seven metres."

Manassero also got off to a flyer with a run of four consecutive birdies from the 15th.

That allowed the teenage star - who turns 18 next Tuesday - race to an outward 31 after teeing off at the tenth.

There were further gains at the third and fifth and a bogey at the sixth on the way in for the Castello Masters Costa Azahar winner.

"It was a good round of golf," he said. "I played well - six under is a good way to start. It gives you a lot of confidence and that's what I need. I holed a few nice 20 footers and was unlucky with my putts on six and seven which lipped out.

"I'm happy I had not many mistakes. I missed just one shot and recovered well on others. I like the grainy greens - I feel like I can hit every putt solid and it gives me confidence putting."

Manassero admitted victory on Sunday would be the perfect present ahead of his 18th.

"It would be a nice way to celebrate my birthday and end a good year," said the former British Amateur Champion. "It will be good to get to major age! I'm going home so there will be some celebrations there. Not much as I'm not into parties but there needs to be some celebrations as it is 18."

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Australian Darren Beck and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher share third place on five under, while McIlroy's three under effort was notable so soon after Sunday night's disappointment.

Having led for 63 holes at Augusta National, the 21 year old came unstuck on the back nine as Charl Schwartzel claimed the Green Jacket.

"It's completely different. It's the first round of a tournament. What happened last week is completely behind me now," said the Northern Irishman after a four birdie, one bogey effort.

"There are more people upset about that round than I am. It's one bad round. I'll live and I'm getting on with it.

"I'm happy to be here and shoot a good round. I'm happy I got a decent night's sleep. I was in the gym at 7am this morning and got the blood pumping. - it felt good. For not seeing the course I felt I did well."

As for Schwartzel, the South African understandably found the going tough early on as he dropped three shots on his outward nine, but two birdies on the way in saw him post a respectable 73, while World Number One Martin Kaymer opened with a two under 70.

Challenge Tour graduate Daniel Gaunt was 3 under for the day after a flawless round which saw him card birdies on the 1st, 7th and 17th to finish in share of 9th place with McIlroy. 

Four groups were unable to finish their rounds because of a storm, with Chile’s Felipe Aguilar best placed of those on the course at four under with one to play.

They will resume at 0830 local time, with second round tee times unaffected.


Maybank Malaysia Open Leader board

Fatigue Slows Down Masters Champion

Charl Scwhartzel [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Charl Schwartzel closed with a one-over-par 73 in the opening round of the Maybank Malaysian Open but vowed to charge back up the leaderboard.

The South African, who clinched his first Major on Sunday at Augusta National, battled back from a sluggish outward 39 with two birdies coming home to lie seven shots behind early pacesetter Matteo Manassero of Italy.

His countryman and current British Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen, enjoyed a better day with a solid 69.

“It wasn’t easy. I never got my swing. I felt uncomfortable and the swing wasn’t nearly as it good as it was,” lamented the slender Schwartzel.

“Lots of travel and I’m just not quite prepared properly for this tournament. Saw the course now, at least I have 18 holes done. I’m going to hit a few balls and come out tomorrow to shoot a little bit better. Not feeling good right now,”

He took over 20 hours of flying time from Augusta to Kuala Lumpur and the jetlag hit last night. It took a toll on his game as he struggled early on before fighting back with birdies on the second and third holes.

“I didn’t sleep very well, didn’t sleep much. It’s difficult, 12 hour of time change. I just feel like, I don’t know what. I’m struggling to focus. The golf swing is tight and the body is not responding right now,” he said.

“It would have been nice to have arrived a day earlier and to prepare better. I didn’t put myself completely out of it today. I’m going to hit some balls and shoot a good score and challenge for the title. Still 54 holes left.”

Rather than resting, he hit the driving range after a short rest in search of his winning golf swing which earned him the famous green jacket last week. “I’ve got to go and hit a couple of balls, find something. I was swinging so good last week and the weeks before that. The body isn’t responding right now but it will come,” he said.

“Only good thing is that I didn’t put myself way out of it. I came back on the back nine, made two under which is moving in the right direction. A couple more of those under par and maybe by the 72nd hole, I’ll be close.”

Three Towers of European Golf in Malaysia

Kaymer, Schwartzel and Oosthuizen

Three pillars of The European Tour, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and the new Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel, came face to face with Kuala Lumpur’s own ‘twin towers’ ahead of this week’s Maybank Malaysian Open.

Kaymer, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel, three of The European Tour’s four reigning Major Champions, were at the Petronas Towers in the heart of the Malaysian capital on Wednesday.

South African Schwartzel, proudly wearing the Green Jacket he won at Augusta National, joined Open Champion and compatriot Oosthuizen and German World Number One Kaymer, the US PGA Champion, as holder of one of golf’s four main prizes on Sunday.

He said: “I think this is the strongest field the Malaysian Open has had. I’m looking forward to this week. Whenever I enter a golf tournament I try to play my best and I will this week to see if I can win this one as well.

“Obviously last week was such a big week. It’s still so difficult to take it all in. Maybe next week when I’m at home I’ll sit and watch the highlights and reflect on last week. I’m just quite a happy guy right now.”

Kaymer said: “We have even more world ranking points with Charl winning last week, which is nice. It was huge for European golf. We’ve won the last four Majors and that’s fantastic. There are many European Tour players on the world ranking in the top ten and top 15. It’s good to see.”

Oosthuizen said: “It is great to have three Majors Champions and the World Number One playing here. It only makes the tournament bigger.”

Schwartzel Prepares for Malaysian Open

Charl Schwartzel says he has been too busy to celebrate his recent triumph at Augusta om his arrival in Kuala Lumpur for the Maybank Malaysian Open this week.

His 24-hour trip made stops in New York and London and the 26-year-old admits the days since his victory have left him drained.

"Right now as I'm sitting here I don't know if it's morning or night," Schwatzel said.

"I've just had a 12-hour time difference and a 24-hour flight. I was in the gym earlier trying to make myself loose, trying to get it going again."

He added: "It's still so difficult to take it all in -- I've been so busy.

"We had so many media things to do afterwards and straight from there after just a couple of hours we had to get on a flight and come over here.

"Maybe (I'll celebrate) next week when we've got a bit of a week off."

Schwartzel has been unable to practice as his clubs are only due to arrive hours before his tee-time in the first round of the tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

But he insists he will be giving 100 per cent during the Malaysian Open despite all the distractions of the last few days.

"I never play for the sake of playing. This week I'll try to play my best. I seem to play better the hotter places get," he said.

McIlroy to Press Ahead in Kuala Lumpur

Rory McIlroy in Kuala Lumpur

Despite the lengthy journey from Atlanta to Kuala Lumpur, Rory McIlroy remained in positive spirits as he arrived at the Malaysian Open after travelling 30 hours to the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on the same plane as Masters winner Charl Schwartzel.

The young Northern Irishman continued to show his class though as he posted a picture on Twitter of himself and Schwartzel, wearing the green jacket that had looked destined for his own shoulders.

Despite the 21-year-old suffering his massive disappointment only on Sunday, he insisted he never thought about pulling out of the Kuala Lumpur event, showcasing the pride and determination which will surely see him get over his Masters disappointment.

"It was a long journey from Augusta, about 30 hours, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the saddle and putting last week's disappointment behind me," said McIlroy. "I've been excited about this event and never had any intention of pulling out.

"I can't wait to get out playing but a little disappointed my clubs will only be arriving later today. My caddie has been out walking the course and I take a lot of positives from what happened in the Masters." 

McIlroy's clubs going missing en route to Malaysia have delayed his practice, although rest may be the order of the day after he arrived looking visibly weary after the journey.

"It hasn't happened often, its one of these things you can't help it, going through so many timezones and so many connecting flights your bags are going to get lost sometimes.

"Hopefully they turn up tonight and I'll be ready to go tomorrow."

McIlroy will tee off at the Malaysian Open for the first time alongside world number one Martin Kaymer and two-time tournament winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.

Schwartzel plays with fellow South African and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Good friends and in the same management stable, McIlroy once more showed his good nature by praising the man who eventually picked up the Masters title he threw away on Sunday.

"It was fine," McIlroy said of the journey with Schwartzel. "I've known Charl a long time and I'm happy for him, genuinely, he played great on Sunday. To go out and shoot 66 on the final day of the Masters to win was a great performance."

Noh Draws South African Major Winners

Noh Seung-yul [Courtesy Asian Tour]

Title holder Noh Seung-yul of Korea will be in the company of Major champions Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, both of South Africa, for the first two rounds of the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The 19-year-old Noh, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, will face a tough challenge in his defence with Schwartzel starting as the firm favourite after his stunning victory at The Masters Tournament on Sunday.

Oosthuizen claimed his first Major title at the British Open at St Andrews and will be expected to contend at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club starting on Thursday. The trio will tee off the first round at 8.10am on Thursday and 1pm on Friday.

Two-time Maybank Malaysian Open champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand will play his opening two rounds with world number one and reigning PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer of Germany and Irish star Rory McIlroy, the world’s number nine.

Kaymer will be eager to bounce back from missing the halfway cut at Augusta National last week while McIlroy will also be on a mission to erase the bitter memories of losing the Masters Tournament with a closing 80 after leading the event for three rounds.

Thongchai, Kaymer and McIlroy will tee off at 1pm on Thursday and 8.10am on Friday.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour number one, talented Italian Matteo Manassero and big-hitting Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who recently won his first Asian Tour tournament, will be another match to follow. They will play the first round at 8.20am, followed by the second round at 1.10pm.

Malaysia’s Danny Chia, seen as the best local hope to end its title drought, will play the first two rounds with Welshman Rhys Davies and South African James Kingston from 8.20am on Thursday and 1.20pm on Friday.