Alexander Noren front runner in Maybank Malaysian Open – Asian Tour
First round of the Maybank Malaysian Open finally concluded at the exquisite par-72, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. The leader board changed as players submitted their score cards. Sweden’s Alexander Noren posted his name on top of the leader board
as the first round finished.
Noren played well during the day. He had a brilliant score of eight-under par, 64 for the first day. The Swede played some promising shots during his round as he leads the championship. His impressive score card showed a total of nine birdies. Noren only
had a single bogey on his score card. He was thoroughly impressive with his beautiful iron shots.
The Swede only had one drop shot during his round. The bogey came on the par-4, 14th where his tee shot was a little wayward, as he missed a par putt on the green and had to be content with a bogey.
This was a superb round from the Swede after a long time. His last win came two years back at Omega European Masters. Since then, Noren failed to mark a victory in his career on the European Tour. The 28-year-old was quite satisfied with the way he handled
things on the first day.
Now Noren has a lead of two shots over his nearest competitors. He will surely be hoping to continue this shining form in the next three rounds and end his two year title drought.
Italy’s rising star, Matteo Manassero posted a fantastic round of six-under par, 66 in the morning. He had an early tee time and saw his name on the leader board after he concluded his round.
Manassero is a bright rising star in the world of golf. He has already proved himself by playing against the best in the field. Manassero had a round of six-under par, 66. This was a great start for him early in the tournament and will be hoping to continue
this performance on the second day also.
The 17-year-old Italian had seven birdies on his score card and only had one drop shot. He finished in a classic style by carding four consecutive birdies on his back-nine. Manassero was very impressive with his approach shots as most of them landed within
a couple of feet from the hole. It was his hot putter which was on his side during the round. It was a complete feast for the spectators to watch the youngster play during the round.
India’s top ranked player Jeev Milkha Singh, Australian Darren Beck and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland share the third place on the score board after the first day. All these three players carded a round of five-under par, 67 respectively. They are placed
just three shots behind the leader.
Singh played well during his round, as he was putting it well on the greens which helped him during the round.
As for the major championship winners, only Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen posted under par rounds.
The Masters champion Charl Schwartzel looked a bit tired on the first day. It was rather the time difference and the course conditions which did not suit him. He managed a moderate round of one-over par, 73 but is placed low on the score board.
The defending champion, Noh Seung-yul of Korea also had a round of one-over par, 73. Although he had an eagle a couple of birdies, but his bogeys let him down during the day.
Second day of the championship will start tomorrow. The condition of the course was in superb shape as the top players look to take advantage on the second day.
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