Golf:Italian teenager Matteo Manassero gave himself a perfect early birthday present, lifting the Malaysian Open title today after world number nine Rory McIlroy suffered another late collapse.
McIlroy suffered a similar meltdown at the US Masters a week ago, where he blew a four-shot final round lead, and blew it again at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
With nearly six hours lost to inclement weather on Friday and Saturday, the 21-year-old Northern Irishman was one of many who had to play 27 holes today.
McIlroy double-bogeyed the 15th to relinquish the third round clubhouse lead and signed off with a 69 to finish two shots behind Italian Manassero, who turns 18 on Tuesday.
"I'm proud of the way I have picked up myself from last week," said a philosophical McIlroy, who still picked up € 108,349 for his efforts. "Considering the travel and stuff, it was a pretty good effort. Obviously the result was disappointing but everything else was positive."
Manassero, sharing the third-round lead with Alexander Noren, holed from the fairway at the 10th hole for an eagle to grab a two-stroke lead and closed with a four-under-par 68 to win his second European Tour title at 16 under par and lift the €288,466 winner’s cheque.
"Holing a nine iron on 10 was maybe the turning point and made me think of the possibility of winning," said the Italian, who became the youngest golfer to win a European Tour title in Spain last year.
"It wasn't easy. The course is really tight and all the players were doing good and playing well. It's just not easy to concentrate. I managed quite well.
"It's a great feeling to achieve two victories in 11 months of professional golf," he added before heading off for a double celebration dinner with friends and family members.
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (67) set the clubhouse target at 15-under but finished sandwiched between Manassero and McIlroy.
US Masters champions Charl Schwartzel (70) moved up to 11th at seven-under, one shot behind world number one Martin Kaymer (72).
Peter Lawrie closed with a 70 to finish on four under (€14,885), the same score as Gareth Maybin on level par (€7,962)
