Harrington lets chance slip away

Taiwan's Yeh Wei-tze became only the third Asian ever to win a European Tour title yesterday when he overcame a dramatic last hole collapse to cling on for victory in the "East v West" Malaysian Open.

Yeh fired a three-under-par 69 to clinch the crown and finish the tournament at 10 under par, one shot ahead of Irish Ryder Cup star Padraig Harrington who finished at nine-under.

Harrington had looked poised to claim his first tour title in four years after sharing the lead with Yeh going into the late stages of the final round. But a disastrous run-in, which saw him bogey three of the last four holes, scuppered his chances and put him out of contention.

Yeh, three shots clear of the field stepping up to Templer Park Country Club's par-four 18th, looked to have victory assured.

But he was left to sweat after a sudden attack of the nerves on the 18th saw him plunge his second shot into the bunker. He then failed to get out cleanly and after reaching the green in four, two-putted for a double-bogey six.

That blow-up presented South Africa's Nico Van Rensburg, playing in the final group, with a chance to force a play-off if he could notch a birdie.

The task was beyond him however and the big-hitting Springbok missed his birdie chance with a chip from the apron and later bogeyed to leave Yeh celebrating his nervy win.

"I can't believe it. I never thought I could win" said Yeh, who notched six birdies during his round after starting the day three off the lead.

"This is the greatest moment of my career ... It's an early birthday present," said Yeh, who will turn 27 next Sunday.

While Yeh was all smiles, a downcast Harrington was struggling to put a brave face on his defeat.

"I am very unhappy but I take a lot away from it. It's four years since I won on the Tour and it's a long time," said Harrington, who blamed a deterioration in his short game for the late collapse.

"I know my chipping is dreadful. It was by a long way the best part of my game but I've neglected it so badly. It's coming back but was shown up when the pressure was on today," said Harrington, who had started the final round three off the lead. His final round 70 left him tied in joint second with South Africa's Des Terblance and American Craig Hainline.

Overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee collapsed with a seven-over-par 79 to finish tied in joint 29th place at three under.