Larrazabal Jumps Into Kuala Lumpur Water Hazard To Avoid Stinging Hornets.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal has dived into a water hazard to avoid attacking hornets during his second round in the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC champion was playing wearing a white shirt when on the 14th hole or the fifth hole of his round he was observed wildly waving his bag towel about his body.

It soon became evident he was in trouble and fled to safety by peeling off his shirt and jumping into a water hazard guarding the green.

“They were three times the size of bees,” said Larrazábal


“They were huge and like 30 or 40 of them started to attack me big time. I didn’t know what to do. My caddie told me to run, so I start running like a crazy guy, but the hornets were still there, so the other players told me to jump in the lake.

“I ran to the lake, threw my scorecard down, took off my shoes and jumped in the water. It was the scariest moment of my career, for sure. I’ve never been so scared.”

Larrazabal emerged seeking medical treatment, including injections, but then in putting his shirt back on the hornets returned so the current World No. 65 played his last five holes in a borrowed orange colored shirt.

Strangely, he birdied his 14th hole on route to a round of 68 and a share of 25th place on two under par.

Spain's Pablo Larrazabal still fighting off hornets after jumping into a lake.

Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal still fighting off hornets after jumping into a lake.

“It looks like I’ll be playing the weekend, so tomorrow it will be very, very scary to play that hole,” he added.

No such concern for the former World No. 1 ranked Westwood who picked up eight birdies with his only error being a double bogey when he found water guarding the green at the par three 11th hole.

“I played well again,” said Westwood.

“On the front nine I shot five under for my second day running and I think the longest putt I holed was from four feet on the first. It was solid stuff.

“I got a little unlucky at 11 I thought, it was one of the best shots I hit all day and the wind just gusted on me and it came up short in the water. But I rallied after that and ended up shooting 66.”

Antonio Lascuna from the Philippines shot a 65 to hold the lead at nine under before being overtaken by Westwood.

 



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