Kang overshadows Kim for Malaysian win
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Malaysian Open | Round Four | 15 Feb 2009
Many expected an American of Korean heritage named Anthony to win the Maybank Malaysian Open but not the 36-year-old Anthony Kang. Kang however overshadowed the presence of the highly regarded Anthony Kim this week, securing the Maybank Malaysian Open and winning more prizemoney in this one event than he has in any one season during ten years competing on the Asian Tour.
Kang has not won since winning the 2001 Myanmar Open but his narrow one shot victory over a group of four players is about to change the golfing life of the married man and father of two, who resides in Phoenix.
The victory opens up access to the European Tour and he is sure to take advantage of that opportunity given the money available in the Race to Dubai. With a number of upcoming events jointly sanctioned between the Asian and European Tours, 2009 promises to be a special year in his golfing career.
A final round of 67 saw Kang move past third round leader Adam Blyth, Liang Wen Chong and Alexander Noren, a birdie at the final hole all but assuring him of victory.
Playing in the second last group of the day, Kang’s late birdie allowed him to edge Prayad Marksaeng, Jyoti Rhandawa, Miles Tunnicliff and David Horsey into a share of second and even though the final trio of Liang, Noren and Blyth still had to finish their round they would need a miracle to catch him.
For the record Kim finished 33rd.
Queenslander Blyth led into the final day and a birdie at the 4th was a much needed settler in what was potentially the greatest day of his golfing life. Then came a run of bogeys and on a day when so many were moving forward the momentum had swung against him.
A birdie at the last was some consolation but it was a day of what might have been. Blyth has, however, taken considerable strides in the last two years in Asia and the next time he is in that situation he will be the better for today’s experience. He eventually finished 11th and earned €31,000.
Scott Barr and Marcus Fraser finished 30th, Darren Beck and Stephen Leaney 33rd, Tony Carolan 40th, Mitchell Brown 48th, Neven Basic, David Bransdon and Gavin Flint were 58th, Scott Hend 71st and David Gleeson 74th.
The Asian and European Tours join forces with the Australasian Tour next week for the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth.
