Defending champion Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell are tied for the lead at five under par after a hot and blustery day in Kuala Lumpur
Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell are tied for the lead in the Maybank Malaysian Open at six under par after the first round at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Defending champion Westwood made seven birdies in his round, six of them at par 4s, with his other birdie coming at the par-5 3rd, which he played 12th having started at the 10th. His only dropped shot came at the par-4 6th, which was the same for Graeme McDowell.
Westwood finished 2014 with a victory in the Thailand Golf Championship and then tied for ninth with McDowell at last week’s Dubai Desert Classic. “I’m playing well at the moment,” he said. “I was hitting the ball well over winter. I putted very nicely today and started the ball on line well. I left a couple short in the middle when I was fooled by the grain, but overall I’m very happy. It’s probably the toughest I’ve ever seen this golf course play.”
McDowell was also pleased with his play in the breezy conditions: “I hit the ball great today - drove it well and gave myself a lot of looks for birdie. Generally I’m very, very happy with that start. I’ve enjoyed the way this course looks and I enjoyed playing it. It’s tough to pinpoint what you have to do right on this course because you have to do everything right. You have to drive it well, hit your irons well, and chipping and putting around the greens is tough as well. It really is an all-round golf course, and the guys who have won round here are good all-round players. I think when I’m on, I’m one of those players as well.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, France’s Grégory Bourdy and India’s Anirban Lahiri are tied in 3rd place after the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open.
Maybank Malaysian Open leaderboard
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret ThemAt times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
-
There's A Growing Divide Between Club Members And Nomadic Golfers When It Comes To Handicapping... And I'm Concerned About ItSome golfers believe competition play should be a pre-requisite to achieving a ‘valid’ handicap, while others feel you should be able to submit a card whenever you want
-
Every European Tour Order Of Merit Winner Since 1937The European Tour's Order of Merit winner claims the Harry Vardon Trophy - a prize which was first handed out in 1937
-
Who Is Graeme McDowell's Caddie?Ken Comboy has been at the Northern Irishman's side since 2006 and was a key part of his 2010 US Open victory
-
Which LIV Golfers Have Won The Masters?Six LIV Golf players have worn the Green Jacket after claiming victory in the Augusta National Major
-
Who Is Sean Foley?We get to know the well-known golf instructor Sean Foley, and who he has worked with, in this piece.
-
Who Is Matt Fitzpatrick's Caddie?In Billy Foster, Matt Fitzpatrick has one of the game's most recognised caddies on his bag
-
Matt Fitzpatrick Facts: 20 Things You Didn't Know About The PGA Tour GolferGet to know 2022 US Open champion and multiple DP World Tour winner Matt Fitzpatrick better...
-
Majesticks GC - LIV Golf TeamThe all-European Majesticks GC team is captained by former World No.1 Lee Westwood
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
