Englishman Lee Westwood fought the high temperatures in Kuala Lumpur to maintain his slim lead at the Malaysian Open. PHOTO: AFP
KUALA LUMPUR:
Lee Westwood survived high temperatures and fierce competition from compatriot Andy Sullivan to cling onto the lead in the Malaysian Open on Saturday by a single-stroke.
“It was tricky out there,” said the former world number one. “I didn’t play as well as I did the first two days, but there were some difficult flags and it was really hot.
“That’s as hot as I’ve been on a golf course for quite some time. It was a real grind.”
The Englishman, who boasts an impressive 12 career wins in Asia, started the day strongly but bogeyed his final hole in third-round play, allowing Sullivan to close in his overnight six-stroke deficit.
Coming off a seventh place finish in last week’s Masters in the US, Westwood was clearly feeling the effects of the scorching temperatures at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
He launched off with a 20-foot birdie before being stifled with a bogey on the second but had notched another two birdies by the 11th.
However, the Englishman scored a bogey on the final hole, finishing one-under at 71.
Sullivan steamed into second place by carding the day’s best score of 66.
The 226th ranked Englishman was in phenomenal form with seven birdies for the day, including three in a row on the front nine.
“I only made one mistake but I got it back straight away. I’m delighted with the way I finished,” said Sullivan, who is seeking a maiden European Tour title.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2014.
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