Kuala Lumpur, 8 February 2015 – From ‘Q’ School on the European Tour to top forty in the world in less than six months, it has been a life changing experience that Anirban Lahiri will never forget.
The excitement of the finishing was exhilarating as it became a race between Weisberger, Lahiri and Waring encapsulated with Lahiri’s incredible 40 feet putt for birdie on 17 to take him to sixteen under par (-16) which was matched by Weisberger, who was one flight behind but whose superb wedge shot on seventeen gave him a birdie before his vital putt on the last to force a playoff was 6 inches short to give Lahiri the win that will change his life. Waring’s day finished with his first score over par of the week at 73 to take 3rd position tied with Canizares who also could not match his earlier score and finished with a 74 tied in 2nd place.
Attributing his win to the power of positive thinking and a hugely supportive team, Lahiri who is the second Indian after Arjun Atwal (2003 and 2008) to win the coveted Seagram’s Trophy finally summed up the feelings of all present when he received his prize from the Malaysian Prime Minister and expressed his thanks to all those who had contributed to the hugely successful 10th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open. “This is a very special win, even though it’s my sixth win but it is my first on the European Tour,” said the proud winner of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2015.
Whilst Weisberger faltered with a double bogey on the par 5 fifth hole to stay in the lead at seveteen under par (-17), Lahiri followed a bogey on the nine with a birdie on ten to come within one off the lead at sixteen under par (-16) with Waring breathing down his neck at fifteen under par (-15) after a birdie on ten. As Canizares
started the day in second position, he faltered with three bogies on the front nine and two more on 10 and 11 which took him back to ten under par (-10) with five holes to play, finally completing his week on thirteen under par (-13).
Crowd favourite, Graeme McDowell finished with a 75 and could not regain the form of the first day which led him to end the tournament at two under par (-2), tied 36th.
Defending champion Lee Westwood who started the day at fourteen under par (-14) had a double bogey on his second and could only manage his first birdie of the final round at the 16th before finally finishing with at three over par (+3) for the day tied in 5th position.
Meanwhile, Malaysian hope, Danny Chia lost his momentum after a bogey on nine and a double bogey on thirteen which took him back to five under par (-5) and finally finished with his second 74 of the week to be tied at 25th position at four under par (-4) and was awarded the Best Malaysian with compatriot Gavin Green who had his best round of the tournament with eight birdies of which six were coming home at 32 and was awarded the tournament’s award for the Best Amateur. Sukree Othman on the other hand, could not maintain his form of the previous three days and finished at four over par (+4) with a final 76 after 3 bogies and a double bogey in his first nine holes. R. Nachimuthu maintained his score with an even par front nine before completing with a 77.
This year, golfers are battling for more than bragging rights as Maybank have upped the ante to mark its milestone tenth (10th) year as the event’s title sponsor. Strengthening its long-standing commitment as one of the oldest national Opens in the region, Maybank increased the prize purse for 2015 to US$3 million, up from the previous US$2.75 million in 2014. The tournament took place at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from the February 5th to the 8th.
In addition to world ranking, points earned at the Maybank Malaysian Open will contribute to the Asian Tour Order of Merit and will also count towards European Tour’s Race to Dubai 2015.
Over the years the Maybank Malaysian Open has attracted world-class golfers who have made their mark with performances by the likes of Rory Mcllroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel joining the field of play here.
For tournament updates and details of the event please visit:-
www.maybankmalaysianopen.com
www.facebook.com/MaybankMalaysianOpen
For any media editorial enquiries on Maybank Malaysian Open, please contact:
Fione Wong
Arcis Communications
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About Maybank
The Maybank Group is South East Asia’s fourth largest bank by assets. It has an international network of over 2400 offices in 20 countries namely Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong SAR & People’s Republic of China, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Laos, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain and the United States of America. The Group offers an extensive range of products and services, which includes consumer and corporate banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, stock broking, insurance and takaful and asset management. It has over 47,000 employees serving more than 22 million customers worldwide. (www.maybank.com)
About the Malaysian Golf Association
The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) is the sole governing body of golf in Malaysia that was founded in 1929 by representatives of golf clubs to promote the sport while preserving its traditions and integrity. The non-government organization is run by passionate volunteers who have a love for the game of golf, with the help of a team of management staff. The association’s portfolios have increased over the years ranging from conducting 14 state amateur opens, national amateur open, national amateur close, Malaysian Open to processing handicaps through its National Handicap System to promoting grassroots programs and training of athletes to represent Malaysia in international events.
The European Tour
The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour’s innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2013, will feature a minimum of 45 tournaments spread across all five continents of the world; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image
of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us atwww.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf,www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour andwww.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.
About Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) is a member of Sime Darby Property Bhd and a propriety Club wholly-owned and operated by KLGCC Berhad. The club has won numerous accolades from both local and foreign golfing fraternity, the latest being recognised as Number One and Two top golf courses in Malaysia for 2014 by US Golf Digest, voted the ‘Best Course in Malaysia’ for the second time in a row for its championship West Course at the 2013 Asian Golf Monthly Awards, the second runner up for the Best Championship Course in Asia Pacific and nominated as Top 10 Best in Asia Pacific for Best Clubhouse and Best Pro-Shop categories. At the same time, KLGCC was voted Best Golf Experience for the Best of Malaysia Awards 2013 Travel Awards by The Expatriate Lifestyle Magazine readers. Today, KLGCC is a landmark as the most luxurious golf resort development in Malaysia and KLGCC has in recent years hosted numerous international championships such as the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
About GlobalOne
GlobalOne (Emerald Evolution Holdings Sdn Bhd) is an executive lifestyle sports promoter and we create sports event ownerships.
We specialise in providing the full spectrum in sponsorship event management and have an excellent track record in planning and delivering on PGA European Tour golf events for Malaysia (Maybank Malaysian Open), Singapore (Singapore Masters) and Indonesia (Indonesia Open) since 1999. We have strong relations with sports governing bodies, the media and commercial sponsors and technical partners to deliver on the bottom line.
We assist all our clients to create super-strategic, high-return, best practice sponsorship to provide a strong, unified vision, across departments and stakeholders, of the broad range of marketing and business objectives that can be achieved through this sponsorship. We also form and maintain strong relationship with players’ managers to source the best players.
GlobalOne currently stages a highly successful and prestigious tournament in Asia – the Maybank Malaysian Open, which is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour providing the event with Official World Ranking status. Our long term partners include Emirates (Official Airline), Carlsberg (Official Beer & Stout), Ricoh (Official Office Equipment), Astro (Official Satellite TV), Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (Official Car), DoubleTree (Official Hotel), 100Plus (Official Isotonic Beverage), Crestlink (Official Apparel), Transview Golf (Official Golf Accessories & Equipment),
Mal-Tel (Official Radio & Communications), Spritzer (Official Water), Singleton (Official Whisky), Srixon (Official Range Balls), Havana (Official Cigars).