Antwal wins Malaysian Open playoff

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 9 (UPI) -- India's Arjun Atwal beat defending champion Peter Hedblom of Sweden in a two-hole playoff Sunday to win the rain-delayed Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

At the second playoff hole, Atwal sank a 3-foot par putt after Hedblom missed a birdie attempt.

"It is an amazing feeling," Antwal said after his third tournament crown on the tour. "To come here and win this title twice now is incredible."

The final round was delayed 2 hours, 20 minutes by a thunderstorm. Hedblom, playing in the final group, was at No. 14 when the storm hit.

He held a two-stroke lead when the closing round began and had an opportunity to win the European Tour tournament a second straight season, but his birdie putt at the par-five 18th stayed on the lip of the cup.

That meant the players ended regulation at 18-under-par 270.

Atwal, the 2003 winner, sizzled with a closing 8-under 64, while Hedblom could manage only a 1-under 71.

England's Simon Dyson (69) shared third place with American Kane Webber (65) at 17-under 271.