It's been a while since my last post but I just got back from a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, so there will be a number of updates soon!
I will start off with some of the action from the Maybank Malaysian Open 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
I will start off with some of the action from the Maybank Malaysian Open 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The Malaysian Open 2015 (Sponsored now by Maybank) started in 1962 and was sanctioned by the European Tour in 1999. Since it's inception, the tournament has seen some of Golf's biggest name win. Past winners include, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Vijay Singh, Thongcai Jaidee to name a few. Tournament fact sheet here.
Sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour, this years edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open saw a field of 156 players from the European and Asian Tour (headlined by defending champion Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, past winner Thongcai Jaidee and perhaps the coolest man in golf, Miguel Angel Jimenez) compete for the coveted trophy and a share of the increased purse of $3,000,000.
22 Malaysians also made the field led by Danny Chia as highest ranked Malaysian.
I will be honest. The field wasn't impressive and that's why I wasn't encouraged initially. But as it turned out, I needed to be in Kuala Lumpur at the time and tickets weren't expensive. So why not?
It might have lacked the glamour of the PGA sanctioned CIMB Classic ($7 million purse) but there was still plenty of fantastic golf to be played. With a lesser crowd, it was easier to get around too and (knowing me) I managed to get a few autographs and pictures with the stars.
I had seen Lee Westwood in action during the CIMB Classic so I decided to follow Graeme McDowell, who I have to say is the consummate professional. I have seen him in interviews on the telly and he seemed like a really approachable and all round nice guy.
So it was great to actually get to meet him in person and he was friendly and super obliging when it came to pleasing the fans. People would catch him when he was warming up or practicing and I didn't see him turn anyone away.
On day 2, he stepped off the practice green to get to the first tee-box and he was stopped by a fan who asked for a picture. He actually stopped to have his picture taken right before his tee-off time!
He was well within reason to say "No, sorry. I will get you later after the game." but he didn't.
Unfortunately, he didn't do very well after day 1. Might have been the scorching heat (and it was HOTTT!) but even then, he kept grinding and still responded when fans cheered him on.
Wasn't there for Day 4 but managed to catch the live updates and subsequent highlights and it was Anirban Lahiri (5 time Asian Tour winner) who pulled off an unexpected and stunning win. (What about that lengthy birdie putt from off the green on the 17th to grab the outright lead?)
I will be honest. The field wasn't impressive and that's why I wasn't encouraged initially. But as it turned out, I needed to be in Kuala Lumpur at the time and tickets weren't expensive. So why not?
It might have lacked the glamour of the PGA sanctioned CIMB Classic ($7 million purse) but there was still plenty of fantastic golf to be played. With a lesser crowd, it was easier to get around too and (knowing me) I managed to get a few autographs and pictures with the stars.
The yellow cap was signed by Paul McGinley, Tommy Fleetwood, Miguel Jimenez and past winner Matteo Mannesero
Miguel Angel Jimenez warming up, with a cigar no less.
Lee Westwood at the driving range
Scott Hend, Miguel Jimenez and G.Mac on day 1
So it was great to actually get to meet him in person and he was friendly and super obliging when it came to pleasing the fans. People would catch him when he was warming up or practicing and I didn't see him turn anyone away.
He was well within reason to say "No, sorry. I will get you later after the game." but he didn't.
Oh, just G.Mac and me (I need to lose some weight...)
There was hardly anyone at the scoring zone after Day 1 and those who waited got autographs and pictures with G.Mac. As I mentioned previously, Day 1 is always the best time to meet the players.
The Par 3, 15th - 4 aces during the 4 days.
Unfortunately, he didn't do very well after day 1. Might have been the scorching heat (and it was HOTTT!) but even then, he kept grinding and still responded when fans cheered him on.
View from the 9th tee box.
G.Mac teeing off
The Voice Caddie T1 watch has a function that measures your shot and I was curious to see how far G.Mac hit his hybrid on the 9th tee.
So I decided to track it on day 1 and voila!~ The watch showed "213 meters". But I had to factor in the fact that I was standing at least 10 meters in front of the tee box and slightly behind his ball in the above pic. So give and take, I would say G.Mac hit his hybrid a whopping 220 meters (I am assuming he was gaming the Adams a7 - 22*).
The green at the 14th
What about our local boys? you ask. There's Danny Chia who's had a great start to the season and future pro, Gavin Green. Both finished respectfully tied for 25th place. Looking forward to see how Gavin performs when he eventually turns pro.
I recognized a few other faces who feature on the local PGM circuit (R. Nachimuthu, Kamerol Baharin, Khor Kheng Hwai to name a few). Nachi (as he is fondly called) looked really happy to be there and you could tell he was appreciative of the support.
Caught Kamerol (above pic) crossing over to the 1st tee box and struck up a brief conversation about his game and course conditions prior to his tee - off. Very pleasant chap as well. Shook his hand and wished him good luck before he teed off and when he did, he was certainly giving his Asian / European Tour flight mates a run for their money with the big stick!
Anirban stormed into contention after carding a scintillating 62 (-10) and started the final day 5 strokes behind leader Bernd Weisberger.
The European Tour Rookie closed with a 68 (-4) to earn a 1 stroke victory (-16 total), to bag his biggest win to date. ($500,000.00 in prize money and an invitation to the Masters - not too shabby hey)
Glad I caught him before his round on Day 3 for a quick autograph. Congratulations once more to Anirban!
Also managed to play some night golf at Monterez, took on the limestone mountains at Templer Park and had a taste of perfection at Palm IOI. Those posts next!
The European Tour Rookie closed with a 68 (-4) to earn a 1 stroke victory (-16 total), to bag his biggest win to date. ($500,000.00 in prize money and an invitation to the Masters - not too shabby hey)
Glad I caught him before his round on Day 3 for a quick autograph. Congratulations once more to Anirban!
Also managed to play some night golf at Monterez, took on the limestone mountains at Templer Park and had a taste of perfection at Palm IOI. Those posts next!
No comments:
Post a Comment