Atwal holds off Goosen to claim title

India's Arjun Atwal held off European number one Retief Goosen to clinch a four-stroke victory in the rain affected Malaysian Open on Sunday.

Atwal, who led the tournament from the start, carded a final round five-under-par 66 that included a superb chip in from off the green for birdie at the last hole.

It was Atwal's fifth Asian Tour and second European Tour triumph in 12 months.

South Africa's Goosen got within one stroke of Atwal mid round before settling for a closing score of 68 and a share of second place with Australian Brad Kennedy at 20 under par.

Britain's Dean Robertson was fourth at 18 under par with Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot a further stroke behind.

"I am really tired after playing 10 holes this morning and then 18 this afternoon," Atwal said.

"Whilst being in the lead since the first day has been good, it does take it out of you mentally," added Atwal, who was the first Indian golfer to take a European Tour title when he won the Singapore Masters last year.

"It's burned me out. It didn't really get to me when I was on the golf course but right after I finished, I was drained.

"The win in Singapore last year was good and after that win I didn't play so well and I started doubting myself.

"But this win kind of makes me believe a bit better in myself and told me that I am good enough to compete on the European Tour or any tour."

The first prize of $US183,330 was the richest of Atwal's eight-year professional career and lifted him to fifth on the European Tour Order of Merit -- one place ahead of Goosen.

Atwal had led Goosen by two strokes after the completion of the third round at the Mines Resort course earlier on Sunday after a thunderstorm on Saturday had halted play.

The pair had restarted their third round at the ninth hole with Atwal four strokes ahead.

But the 29-year-old's lead was soon reduced when he double-bogeyed the ninth.

Atwal eventually signed for a four-under-par 67 and headed straight into the final round still leading Goosen by two strokes.

Both players recorded three birdies on the outward nine holes before Goosen edged to within one shot of Atwal when he birdied the 10th.

The world number five had the chance to tie Atwal for the lead at the par-five 12th but missed his birdie putt.

Goosen's challenge then faded and he hit a poor two-iron tee shot at the 13th hole that found a water hazard right of the fairway.

The resultant bogey saw Goosen again drop two strokes behind Atwal before the Indian sealed victory with birdies at the 14th and last hole.

"I putted badly and the greens really slowed up this afternoon with the growth," Goosen said.

"But all credit to Arjun, he played well and holed a lot of good putts and I can't take anything away from him."

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