Italian teen sensation Matteo Manassero won the Malaysian Open by one shot from Frenchman Gregory Bourdy yesterday to seal his second European Tour victory.
Manassero, who turns 18 tomorrow, shot a fourth round four-under-par 68 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club to seal the win with a four-round total of 272.
There was no comeback for world No. 9 Rory McIlroy a week on from his last-round collapse at the US Masters.
The Northern Irishman battled bravely on the back nine to give himself a shot at victory, but a bogey on the last meant there was no playoff with Manassero as McIlroy finished third on 14-under 274.
Bourdy posted 67 for a 273 total, while US PGA champion and world No. 1 Martin Kaymer was eight shots back in a tie for ninth and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel a stroke behind in 11th.
“I really had a good day today. I hit good shots. I am overjoyed,” Manassero said.
The young star said an eagle on the par-five 10th had set him on his victory charge and subsequent birdies on 11 and 14 helped seal the hard-fought win over Bourdy.
“I had to do two birdies to win by one shot. It was a surprise win after the Castello Masters 11 months ago,” he said.
Manassero received the winner’s check of US$416,660 and became the Malaysian Open’s youngest winner and the first Italian to win the tournament.
He put his flawless play down to his ability to keep a cool head despite coming under pressure from other players and the uncertain weather.
“All the players were doing well. It is not easy to concentrate and stay calm. Fortunately I stayed calm,” he said.
Manassero became the youngest ever winner on the European Tour when he took the Castello Masters in Spain last year and yesterday’s triumph means he is the third youngest on the major world tours to record more than one victory.
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