Aphibarnrat wins as Malaysian Open is curtailed

THAILAND’S Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a two-under-par 70 to beat Eduardo Molinari by a stroke and win a Malaysian Open shortened to 54 holes after constant rain interruptions.

Aphibarnrat shot five birdies against four bogeys at the Kuala Lumpur Golf Club for a three-round total of 203. Molinari had a 67, one stroke ahead of Denmark’s Anders Hansen, who shot a 66 for a 205 total.

US Masters winner Charl Schwartzel (71) and Victor Dubuisson (70) of France shared fourth place, three strokes off the lead.

After thunderstorms shortened play on each of the first three days, organisers announced that the tournament would be decided over three rounds. Play was suspended again yesterday for more than two hours due to rain.

“This means a lot to me,” said Aphibarnrat, the fifth first-time winner on the European Tour this season. “I have to thank my family, my mum and my dad for all their support.”

The 23-year-old started the day 11 under with 16 holes to complete in his third and final round. He faced a strong early challenge from three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, but the Irishman faded and Aphibarnrat held his nerve to claim the biggest win of his career.

Molinari, who had made his first cut since returning from a lengthy wrist injury, shot a bogey-free 67, with birdies at Nos. 3, 5, 6, 14 and 16.

“It’s mixed emotions because I’m very happy to have a good week for the first time in a long time,” he said. “The swing changes are starting to pay off, which is surprising because I thought it would take a lot longer. I’m disappointed because I had a lot of chances on the back nine. The 18th is only the second fairway I missed all day which is very disappointing. I felt if I birdied the last I might have won outright because it puts a lot of pressure on the guy coming up behind.”

Denmark’s Anders Hansen finished third after a joint best-of-the-day 66, with last week’s winner of the Avanthan Masters in India, Thomas Aitken, who shared 11th place on 208.

Schwartzel finished in a tie for fourth with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson on 206.

Scott Jamieson was the leading Scott, carding 71 for a total of 209 and a share of 17th place.

Stephen Gallacher (66) tied for 22nd on 210, while Alastair Forsyth (72) shared 28th spot on 211.