Ulster ace Gareth Maybin proved he has the talent to push pals Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the Race to Dubai despite his agonising near miss in the Malaysian Open.

The 28-year-old Ballyclare star hit nine birdies in a sensational final round 66 but had to settle for sixth place after a closing bogey cost him a chance to force a possible play-off.

Tour winner Peter Lawrie has decided to 'rinngit' some sponsorship changes after rejecting a renewal offer from long-time backers Srixon.

The reigning Spanish Open champion, 34, turned up at the Malaysian Open with a logo-free black bag and a plain cap he picked up in a Kuala Lumpur department store for just 25 Malaysian ringgit — around €5.30.

The 48th edition of the prestigious Maybank Malaysian Open returns to the world-renowned Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from February 12-15 in 2009.  This highly respected tournament has seen the likes of Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo just to name a few, contend for top honours. This year is no exception with a US$2million prize purse on offer by title sponsor Maybank.