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2015 Maybank Malaysian Open Review - Sunburn, noisy crows & a thirsty Spaniard

Was it the best ever national open? Without the rain it was. 

By Patrick Ho, Editor - Golf Digest Malaysia

Memorable? No, not for me at least. That's because I picked up a new back injury during Tuesday's pro-am (age is catching up).

Furthermore, some may not realize that an editor is very much a desk jockey. I could only make my grand entrance to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (we call it KLGCC) on Saturday morning.

Yes, I was there by 9 a.m. And, 8.15 a.m. on Sunday.

Enjoyed my walk, got sun burnt and nearly saw two players ace the 11th on Saturday.

No Malaysian player found the water water hazard there. No hornets attacked me on the 14th too.

My opinion alone may not be justifiable or taken seriously, but here's my top 20:

1. Counting crows - even a 'QUIET PLEASE' lollipop could not stop those menacing buzzards on a player's downswing. No wonder Jimenez threw his wedge to the ground on Saturday after pulling his approach on the 10th. Maybe it was just too hot for the Spaniard.

2. It wasn't the 10th Malaysian Open. It was Maybank's celebration of its 10th year as title sponsor. English is a powerful tool when used correctly.

3. But it was a memorable celebration - the colourful large cake that Tan Sri Megat cut could cover the green of the 16th hole.

4. English lesson No. 2: Shelter Hut? I was confused, dazed when it got too sunny, hot and humid. Maybe it was a shelter. No, there were portable toilets and an evacuation van parked in there that did not allow much room for people to take shelter if it rained. It would then be called a hut.

5. It didn't rain! No thunderclaps, no lightning threats and no stress on David Garland's face for once.

6. Peanuts anyone? Great branding and they were delicious. I should trace the suppliers and stock up for Chinese New Year gambling sessions.

7. More Maybank branding - Nice yellow coloured plastic tumblers with straws that rattled in the wind. At least the laici drink wasn't too sweet. Gave mine away when Pablo stared at me.

8. I entertained complaints regarding low crowd numbers from Thursday till Saturday. Don't ask me why my friend, I wasn't in-charge.

9. There wasn't a single soul following Jimenez and his flight on Saturday morning - the world's coolest golfer who served beer to guests of Carlsberg. Magnifico.

10. A golfer walking into KLGCC around 3.30 p.m., phone on the ear, after the last putt had dropped on Saturday, "Which hole is Lee Westwood on?"

11. A makcik yelled from the 50-odd gallery after Danny Chia flushed a drive down to the fairway of Hole 2 on Sunday, "Bagus!"

12. Malaysian golf fan boasting to his friends after getting his Maybank umbrella, "I also have some from previous years and others from the LPGA and CIMB Classic." He may open an umbrella shop near you.

13. Final day 18th marquee tradition - every shot that landed on the green raised oohs and the ahhs. Even if the ball landed 20 feet from the pin. The roar at one stage sounded like someone chipped it in at the Ryder Cup. Keep it flowing please.

14. No, the Public Hospitality area is not a slum. We can pay for our own beers. Security, please check his media credentials.

15. There was a contest needing the beautiful Maybank ambassadors to stamp a card. If only I had the time to try for that handphone.

16. Thongchai Jaidee made a hole-in-one on the 11th to win an EPOS watch. Really.

17. Another patron on his mobile, "Where got Pavilion here... That's in KL lah bro..." *shakes head*

18. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak pledged another RM2 million to develop golf. Watch out Rio, here come the Malaysian Tigers.

19. The trophy is called the Seagram Trophy. Just in case.

20. No hornets were seen, heard or harmed this year. Pablo was safe too.

#ends#

  

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