A year ago it was Rory McIlroy heading to Malaysia as runner-up in the Masters and now this time it’s Louis Oosthuizen looking to make ammends in the Maybank Malaysian Open.
Oosthuizen heads an impressive field of former Major champions competing in Kuala Lumpur.
Joining the 2010 Open Champion is last year’s Masters winner Charl Schwartzel along with 2010 PGA Champion Martin Kaymer of Germany competign at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Thai strongman Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Malaysian Open winner, Jeev Milkha Singh of India, a six-time Asian Tour champion, current Order of Merit leader Jbe Kruger of South Africa and the popular Siddikur of Bangladesh will also feature in the US$2.5 million championship sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Despite losing to American left-hander Bubba Watson on the second play-off hole on Sunday, Oosthuizen is still brimming with confidence followinghis battling display in the year’s first Major where he became one of four players to shoot an albatross in the Masters.
“I am still a little disappointed that it didn’t go my way but it is just one of those things. It just makes me want that jacket even more now,” he said.
“I think anyone that is playing well wants to try to get some wins under your belt. I think any performance in a Major, whether it is winning, losing a play-of or finishing top three, will give you a lot of confidence going forward.
“I’m just looking to continue my good form really. I think the first round will be pretty tough because of the tiredness but after that and after some good rest hopefully we can play well.”
Kaymer, winner of the 2010 US PGA Championship, travelled 30 hours from Augusta to Kuala Lumpur and is hoping to overcome jetlag and launch a title assault at the Maybank Malaysian Open where he finished in tied ninth place last year.
“I come to tournaments that I feel like I have a chance to win. I’ve prepared very well in the last few weeks to put myself in a good position on Sunday afternoon,” said Kaymer.
“Overall we are experienced enough to play well in the heat. We have been to many hot places in the world and around Asia. It is very easy to adapt because you know what you are facing,” he added.
Joining them is big-hitting Alvaro Quiros of Spain is wary of the tight fairways at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West Course but he will not have second thoughts of putting his driver in play.
“My length is one of my most important advantages. I’ll have to use the driver for sure. The golf course is not that short,” said the six-time European Tour winner.
“I think it is the tightest golf course I’ve ever seen in my life. The fairways are really small and tight. In general, it is a good golf course so I have no complaints,” added Quiros.
Schwartzel came into last year’s Maybank Malaysian Open on the back of his Masters victory and finished in tied 11th place. He admits it will be a tough battle for the title against the emerging Asian talents.
“We have been coming here for many years now and we have seen the game develop. When we first came out here I think that not a lot of people really understood the game but that has really changed as well as the performances of the Asian players now.
“They are playing better all over the world and we enjoy coming out here to play a few events every year,” said Schwartzel, ranked 12th in the world.
Other Major winners competing include 2005 U.S. Open winner, Michael Campbell while Itlay’s ultra-talented Matteo Manassero is defending his title.
* Thanks to Asian Tour for story and photo.
