Golf: McIlroy shines at Malaysian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Rory McIlroy stormed back from his US Masters heartache with probably his longest-ever drive as Sweden’s Alexander Noren lit up the Malaysian Open with a dazzling eight-under-par 64.

McIlroy said he was completely recovered from the agonising collapse at Augusta after hitting 69 to be five shots off Noren, whose astonishing nine birdies against one bogey gave him early control in sweltering Kuala Lumpur.

Jet-lagged US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel stumbled to one-over 73 as he came down to earth with a bump after Sunday’s heroics, when he birdied the last four holes to claim a memorable victory.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2011.