Genworth Stats Pack - Maybank Malaysian Open Preview

A debut appearance at this event together with a light early season schedule for Luke Donald on the European Tour results in a lack of Genworth Statistics to present. But he arrives in solid form off the back of a 4th place finish at the Tampa Bay Championship. The current world number three will of course start as hot favourite alongside Charl Schwartzel. The only question is will the long flight half way across the world to get here affect his tournament preparation or performance. Luke is a true professional so the likelihood is probably not. Look for him to go well.

Charl Schwartzel has enjoyed a tremendous start to his 2013 season. In December he destroyed the field in back to back victories in Thailand and South Africa, and following the festive break he has performed very consistently in the States. The 28 year old South African is also very familiar with Kuala Lumpur G&CC having played well here the last two years. The course seems to fit his eye with him ranking well for the Genworth Greens in Regulation statistic on both occasions. Everything considered Charl is the one to beat.

Thongchai Jaidee is a two time winner of the Maybank Malaysian Open (back in 2004/05 at Saujana G&CC), and he also knows his way around the Kuala Lumpur course having competed here in each of the last three years. Although he missed the cut last time out, in 2010 he ranked 6th for the Genworth Greens in Regulation statistic and in 2011 he putted very well. Thongchai started the 2013 season on the European Tour very strongly with three top ten finishes but has been quiet for the past month or so. He is keen to do well to gain re-entry into the World Top 50 and an invite to The Masters.

Matteo Manassero won the Maybank Malaysian Open around this course in 2011 as a 17 year old (it was his second European Tour victory). The Italian maestro ranked 2nd for the Genworth Driving Accuracy statistic that week and 1st for Greens in Regulation (alongside Rory McIlory). He then followed up with a very respectable defence last year and will no doubt be looking forward to doing battle over the Kuala Lumpur course once again this week. With very solid 2013 early season form, Matteo is likely to be up there come Sunday.

Stephen Gallacher won for the second time on the European Tour at the Dubai Desert Classic in February. But the 38 year old Scotsman also arrives having finished second here last year. Looking at his Genworth Statistics over the Kuala Lumpur course, we see a pattern of long driving and excellent Greens in Regulation rankings. Stephen obviously feels comfortable at this venue.

Rafa Cabrera-Bello is another player with excellent form over the Kuala Lumpur course, with top five finishes in both 2011/12. Last year his play produced some sublime Genworth Statistics, ranking 3rd for Driving Accuracy, 20th for Greens in Regulation, 3rd for Putts per GIR and 15th for Putts per Round. And in 2011 it was nearly as good. Note that the 28 year old Spanish Golfer has enjoyed a very solid start to the 2013 season and is likely to contend this week.

Alexander Noren has played the Maybank Malaysian Open on four previous occasions (2012/11/09/07). Although he missed the cut last year he finished fourth in 2011, in doing so producing strong Genworth Statistics across the board. The three time winner on the European Tour arrives with decent form from the Middle East Swing (including a best of fourth in Qatar).

Padraig Harrington last played the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2006 (at Kuala Lumpur G&CC). That year he finished tied 13th, in doing so ranking 7th for the Genworth Greens in Regulation statistic (with 83.3% of greens hit). Padraig’s 2013 early season form has been a little erratic (when combining his European Tour and PGA Tour results), but his Genworth short game and putting statistics look to be fantastic. If he can improve his accuracy from the tee it should enable him to hit more greens and play with a greater level of consistency.

Last week’s winner Thomas Aiken competes in the Maybank Malaysian Open for the first time, but the course should suit his game. His early season Genworth Statistics highlight superb consistency with the longer clubs (70.0% Driving Accuracy and 77.3% Greens in Regulation). The telling point will be how emotionally drained the 29 year old South African is following last week’s heroics, where he won by three with a bogey free weekend.

Chris Wood has played the Maybank Malaysian Open once before in 2010 (missing the cut) and arrives this week having secured his first European Tour victory in Qatar, in January. We shouldn’t pay too much attention to his distorted Genworth Statistics rankings just yet because many other players would have played easier schedules. Chris is indeed very strong from tee to green (see his Greens in Regulation at 76.9%).

Four-time European Tour winner David Howell continues his excellent form since the later part of last year. Besides giving up a little length to the longest hitters, his 2013 Genworth Statistics highlight no weaknesses and very few scoring mistakes (just 1.38 Bogeys per Round). Interestingly though, the 37 year old Englishman has not enjoyed much success at this event in years past. With two missed cuts and a best of 27th from six starts, he will be looking to put that right this week. David Howells next win surely cannot be far away.

Ricardo Santos makes his Maybank Malaysian Open debut this week. The 30 year old golfer from Portugal is off to a flyer in 2013 with four top ten finishes from seven starts. He ranks 21st for the Genworth Stroke Average ranking and 22nd for Greens in Regulation, and is under Par for each of the different hole types (being the Par 3’s, Par’4 and Par 5’s). Ricardo is also averaging 4.69 Birdies per Round which should serve him well.