Arjun Atwal claimed his second title on The European Tour International Schedule when he held off the challenges of European Number One Retief Goosen and Australian Brad Kennedy to capture the Carlsberg Malaysian Open with a commanding wire-to-wire victory at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur.
Last year Atwal made history when he became the first Indian golfer to capture a European Tour title by winning the Caltex Singapore Masters, presented by Carlsberg. Twelve months later he secured his second title with rounds of 62-65-67-66 for a 24 under par total of 260, four strokes clear of Goosen and Kennedy.
Atwal’s victory earned him €169,765 (£113,834) and lifted him to fifth in the Volvo Order of Merit.
“That has taken a lot out of me,” said Atwal. “Leading from the first day is mentally tough and, while it didn’t get to me on the golf course, I feel drained.
“This victory makes me believe in myself a bit more. The win in Singapore was good but after that win I didn’t play so well and started doubting myself. This one tells me I am good enough to play on The European Tour.
“It was fun playing against Retief. I was on top of my game. I’m not sure he was on top of his game but he finished 20 under par on this golf course. I felt comfortable all week.”
With tropical thunderstorms disrupting play on Friday and Saturday the leaders were required to play 28 holes on the final day. Atwal resumed the third round with a four stroke lead over Goosen and, as expected, the World Number Five emerged as his main challenger.
Gradually Goosen chipped away at his lead, but just as he moved to within two strokes, Atwal restored his four shot advantage with a stunning eagle on the 15th after his drive on the 293 yard par four came to rest just five feet from the hole.
Goosen closed the gap to two with a brace of birdies to finish the third round and when the South African birdied the first hole of the final round he was only one behind and on a charge. Atwal responded with a birdie on the second to restore the two shot cushion but again Goosen piled on the pressure with birdies at the third and fifth. Atwal rose to the challenge magnificently, following Goosen in on the third and then making birdie on the sixth to counter Goosen’s birdie the hole before.
With both players out in 32 Atwal was maintaining the upper hand but again Goosen narrowed the gap with a birdie on the tenth. Three holes later, however, he suffered a decisive blow as his tee shot found the water on the right of the 15th. The resulting bogey gave Atwal the confidence boost he needed and he extended his lead to three with a birdie on the par three 16th hole after converting his putt from ten feet. Three pars followed before Atwal sealed his victory by chipping in on the final hole for birdie.
It was a disappointing final day for Goosen, seeking his first win in Asia after winning titles in every other continent.
“I putted badly,” said Goosen. “The greens really slowed up this afternoon with the growth and unfortunately I couldn’t stroke the ball hard enough. That was my problem. I left everything short.
“I hit a terrible two iron on the 13th into the water and that was a bit of a turning point but once again I had a chance of a four but left it short.
“But Arjun played very well and holed a lot of good putts. I can’t take anything away from him, he played well.”
Kennedy, 28, a Challenge Tour Member, secured his best finish on The European Tour International Schedule with an outstanding final round of 64 which included a back nine of 31. Two birdies in the last two holes helped him climb into a share of second place alongside Goosen.
“I played really well today - I had it in the groove,” said Kennedy. “Actually I have played well for the last month, this is my fifth tournament in a row, but I was just not getting the job done. Part of the reason was mental and this week I decided to play each shot as it came and not get too carried away with myself. I had a couple of great swings coming in and holed a good putt on the 17th so I’m delighted with the finish.
Four years ago, playing at The Mines Resort and Golf Club in the World Cup, Dean Robertson fell ill with a mystery virus and was out of the game for four months. Upon his return to Malaysia for the first time this week the Scot was rewarded with a fourth place finish after a final round of 66 for an 18 under par total of 268.
