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Pablo Larrazabal has strongly criticised tournament officials after a controversial conclusion to the Maybank Malaysian Open.

Larrazabal’s compatriot Nacho Elvira was denied a maiden European Tour victory by Australia’s Scott Hend, who beat him on the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff.

However, that was almost overshadowed by an incident that happened at the end of regulation play.

Trailing Hend by a shot as the pair arrived at the 72nd hole, Elvira was on the downswing of his approach when a loud clap of thunder distracted him. He ultimately caught his shot heavy and was left with a tricky 30-foot putt to catch Hend.

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At that point, play was suspended. When it resumed one hour and forty minutes later, Elvira nervelessly dispatched his putt to force the tournament into extra holes.

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The 32-year-old later dismissed the thunder as a stroke of bad luck. However, his fellow Spaniard Larrazabal was unhappy that play hadn’t been postponed sooner.

He tweeted:


Ladies European Tour pro Sophie Walker was also watching and was equally impressed.

Malaysian Open finale – your thoughts

Do you think that the final round of the Malaysian Open should have been postponed sooner? Leave your thoughts in our Comments section below.


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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