Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – French golfer Fabrizio Zanotti surprised reigning Master Tournament champion Danny Willet to take the Maybank Championship Sunday with an aggregate 19-under-par 269 at the Saujana Gold and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Zanotti, who ranked fifth in the third round with 70-69-67, moved his way to the top on another sun-kissed day at the USD3 million tournament with a 9-under-par 63 to win the title.
“I think it was probably the best round of my career, so I’m very happy. It was a really good day, a really good week and I’m really happy,” Zanotti said.
It was at the 15th hole when Zanotti thought he might be able to win after a birdie. The French golfer made another birdie and an eagle to clinch the win.
READ ALSO:
The Ritz-Carlton Tees Up Second Resort in China
Inaugural Mauritius Open Golf Tournament Attracts Big Names
Megaworld Building 21st Township in Cavite
“It feels really good to be a winner again. I’ve been working a lot and I was not in my best run of form, missing three cuts in a row, but that’s in the past and today I’m a winner again and it feels great.”
Third-round leader Willet dropped to the tie fifth spot with a total of 15-under-part 273. Willet’s 66-67-67 performance for the first three days was erased Sunday as he struggled with a 1-over-par 73.
David Lipsky of the USA ended the tournament in second place with an 18-under-par 270 total, just a point away from the champion. His daily score was 68-67-68-67.
“I’m really happy with this week all in all. My goal was to finish top three or so to try and lock myself up for the WGC in Mexico and I did that so I’m pretty proud of the way I handles myself this week,” Lipsky said.
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria recovered from a third-round score of 1-over-par 73 to take the third spot with a total of 17-under-par 271.
“I was two behind and Fabrizio finished like that so it was just a bit shy. I played alright today, I didn’t play great but I had a couple of hiccups again after a good start, birdieing three out of the first four. There were a few stupid bogeys which is unfortunate and then I battled away but didn’t play great all week except for that stretch on Friday,” Wiesberger said.
The US$3 million Maybank Championship was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour. – BusinessNewsAsia.com