Matteo Manassero shot a 4-under 68 Sunday to earn a one-stroke victory at the Malaysian Open, upstaging Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and Rory McIlroy.
Manassero had an eagle on the par-5 10th and added two birdies on the back nine to finish at 16-under 272 two days before his 18th birthday.
Gregory Bourdy was second after a 67 that included eight birdies. The Frenchman charged up the leaderboard with four consecutive birdies beginning at the third hole, but he bogeyed the eighth and had a double bogey on No. 11.
McIlroy had a 69 and was third, two shots back, after a holding the second-round lead as he tried to bounce back from his Masters collapse last Sunday. Schwartzel shot a 70 and finished tied for 11th at 7-under 281.
Martin Kaymer, No. 1 in the world rankings, was eight shots back in a tie for ninth after closing with a 72.
Manassero, who became the European Tour’s youngest winner with his victory at last year’s Castello Masters, said it was “just fantastic” to earn another trophy before turning 18.
The Italian teenager will move up to 35th in the world rankings next week. He received US$ 416,660 dollars for winning and became the Malaysian Open’s youngest winner.
