One week before the Masters, lost by a stroke on the second playoff hole, Louis Oosthuizen takes his revenge and finishes first at the Malaysian Open, in Kuala Lumpur, the European Tour tournament won last year by Matteo Manassero. The Italian golden boy, 19 years old next week (April 19), he still hit the top ten, finishing seventh with -9, after four days of incredible ups and downs, 72 holes in which he managed to get 21 birdies and an eagle, but also 12 bogeys and a double bogey. A promising season for Manassero, back from a second and a sixth place in the last three tournaments.
Oosthuizen left no room for anyone this weekend and finished with a splendid -17 after four days always under par. The South African really appears in dazzling form, the strength of his nerves relaxed: calm and smiling, with a perfect swing and a solid putt. Right now Oosthuizen, 29, is second behind Rory McIloroy in the Race to Dobay, the European Tour classification and should have climbed several positions in the world rankings, approaching the top ten in the standings. Louis, or rather Shreek for his friends, for those slightly distant teeth that make his frequent smile pleasant, currently seems to be one of the fittest players in the world. His swing comes out of the excellent South African school, which includes the other young champion Charl Shwartzel, 28 years old, ninth in the Race to Dubai, twelfth in the World ranking, third with -12 in the Malaysian tournament.
Both have already won a major, both have become champions thanks to the help and school founded by Ernie Els, the compatriot champion who has been at the top of the world rankings for years. The South Africans' style of play is superb, even in terms of etiquette, it's hard to see a flaw in their behavior. A quality in golf, even if the cameras love to spy on the decomposed reactions of the champions and the public is drawn more by those who let their emotions shine through. Another master of aplomb, the Englishman Luke Donald, the first to win both the European and American rankings last year, is in fact not very popular in the USA. Donald, on the other hand, is a fantastic champion, but it cannot be denied that he is suffering from the pressure of the US tour, where he has decided to play: also this week the number one in the world is doing rather badly in the tournament underway in Hilton Head in South Carolina and its world leadership is once again at risk.
In Malaysia, however, they behaved the Scot Stephen Gallacher (-12), the Spaniard Rapael Cabrera-Bello (-12), the English Danny Willet (-12) and the American David Lipsky (-12) did very well the latter in particular from the "top" of his 24 years showed a nice golf, precise and promising. Of note is the -9, tied with Manassero, of the German Martin Kaymer, who lost three shots in the last three holes, probably tested by the terrible heat and humidity in Kuala Lumpur (the game was suspended several times due to rain and many golfers had to play 27 holes in one day).
Excellent behavior on the pitch by the Frenchman Romain Wattel, also at -9. An example for amateurs and spectators from all over the world: on the par three of the 15th hole Wattel was on the ball to play his putt, when he stopped, he called the umpire and he "reported himself" because the wind had moved the ball a few millimeters while he was already in shooting position. No direct liability in the fact, but one stroke penalty, according to the inflexible (and sometimes unfair) rules of golf. No one had noticed, the cameras were unable to capture that little movement, but Wattel who had his eyes perpendicular to the ball saw it and declared it. Chapò: this is golf.
Finally, forty-seventh position for the other Italian in the field: Lorenzo Gagli (total of -1), who had got off to a great start in the first few days and then got lost a bit along the way.
