Sunday 11 November 2012

Manassero Singapore Open Champion



Matteo Manassero was finally crowned Barclays Singapore Open champion after beating Louis Oosthuizen at the third extra hole.

The 19-year-old Italian had tied the South African at 13 under par with a birdie on the final hole in regulation.

The pair went back up the par-five 18th where Oosthuizen did well to stay alive after rushing his first putt seven feet past before holing the return.

The former Open champion then missed an opportunity to take the title when he pitched to four feet, only to see the putt lip-out with Manassero also only able to make par.

Both found the green with their second shots as they played the 18th again, but with the Italian much closer he was able to clinch his third European Tour win as he watched his eight-foot putt drop.

Manassero had taken a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the weather-hit event after carding a 64 that saw him birdie five of the first seven holes.
Bogeys

Oosthuizen was his nearest pursuer following a 65 but a hat-trick of birdies around the turn in his final round made him the one to catch.

He left the door ajar with bogeys at the 12th and 13th but hit back with a birdie and then another at the 18th set the mark which Manassero later matched.

Oosthuizen's inability to close out victory meant Rory McIlroy added the Race to Dubai title to his PGA Tour money list win after a closing round of 65 moved him into sole possession of third place.

The Northern Irishman was rarely in contention for the lead but finished with an eagle-three at the 18th to jump out of the pack.

It means he becomes the youngest player to win the European money list title since Sandy Lyle in 1980.

Halfway leader Thomas Bjorn came home in 39 in his third round to drop back but he recovered with a closing 68 to take fourth place on nine-under.

Three-time champion Adam Scott and Francesco Molinari finished a shot further back in a tie for fifth.




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