India´s Lahiri wins maiden European Tour title in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian Anirban Lahiri secured his breakthrough European Tour title by overhauling Austrian Bernd Wiesberger in a dramatic final round of the Malaysian Open on Sunday.

Just three months after coming through qualifying school, Lahiri made up five shots on overnight leader Wiesberger before holding his nerve over the last few holes to emerge a winner by a single stroke after carding a four-under-par 68.

Lahiri, who soared into contention with a third round 62 on Saturday, got off to a blistering start at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club by birdying four of his first five holes.

Wiesberger also picked up shots at his first two holes and it was only when the Austrian double bogeyed the par-five seventh that the duel was on.

Lahiri sank a 40-foot putt at the 17th to grab the outright lead for the first time but Wiesberger birdied the 16th to tie the contest up again.

It lasted only one hole before Wiesberger made a mess of his approach shot at the 17th to hand the advantage back to Lahiri.

Lahiri said Saturday´s round had been crucial to his becoming only the fourth Indian to win a European Tour title and was already calculating his chances of a U.S. Masters debut next year.

Wiesberger´s fourth successive top-10 finish put him in the top five on The Race to Dubai, but the 29-year old was left to ruing his closing 74.

Englishman Paul Waring (73) and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares (74) finished tied for third on 13 under, while defending champion Lee Westwood returned 75 for a share of fifth. (Reuters)