India’s Anirban Lahiri reeled off four birdies in his first five holes and held on down the stretch for a one-stroke victory over Bernd Wiesberger to take his first European Tour title by winning the Malaysian Open on Sunday.
Lahiri had vaulted into contention the day before with a tournament-low, 10-under 62 and followed up with a final-round 68 for the win.
“I don’t think it has sunk in just yet but I’m pretty sure when it does, I’ll be pretty happy,” said Lahiri.
“I’ve got a bad habit of making it hard for myself, but I’m happy I managed to get it over the line.”
The Malaysian Open is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, and the win was Lahiri’s sixth on the Asian circuit.
Lahiri, 27, began the day five strokes behind third-round leader Wiesberger, who had shot to the top of the leader boards on Saturday with a European Tour personal-best nine-under 63 at the tricky Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
But on the par-five fifth hole yesterday, Wiesberger chunked his third shot into a water hazard for a costly double bogey, opening the door for Lahiri.
The Indian charged through with his early birdie blitz.
Despite a couple of later bogeys, he fended off the faltering Wiesberger, who had three bogeys on the back nine to card a two-over 74 for the day.
“It hasn’t quite finished the way I intended to,” Wiesberger said.
“After the hiccup on five, I didn’t hit it anywhere near as good as the last 15 rounds. It’s tough to say, but it is what it is and unfortunately I beat myself out of it today.”
England’s Paul Waring and the second round co-leader Spain’s Alejandro Canizares finished two strokes behind Wiesberger in a tie for third.
Lee Westwood had held the co-lead on each of the first two days, but a final round 75 left the Englishman in a four-way tie for fifth, five strokes behind Lahiri.
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