KUALA LUMPUR — Trevor Simsby of the United States won a thrilling playoff on Sunday against Australia"s Andrew Dodt and fellow American Jarin Todd to clinch victory in the weather-shortened Malaysia Open. All three golfers ended their final round with a total of 13-under-par 203, leading to a sudden-death playoff at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. Todd was out of contention after the first playoff hole, which saw Simsby and Dodt both make birdies. Simsby then stormed to victory on the second hole by sinking a four-foot birdie putt, spelling defeat for Dodt who had looked dominant at the start of the tournament. The American said he was "ecstatic" at the biggest win of his career and his first Asian Tour title. "The turning point came when I was walking off the 15th hole," said Simsby. "My caddie was saying we were still in it, and I really didn"t think so. And then I birdied the 16th, and I knew we had a chance." Dodt said it was "disappointing to finish like that, but all in all a solid week and well done to Simsby". A competitive field saw a trio of golfers including Thailand"s Kosuke Hamamoto, Japan"s Rikuya Hoshino and South Korean Charlie Wi finish one shot behind the leaders after 18 holes. The event was reduced to 54 holes from the usual 72 after stormy weather led to play being abandoned on Saturday. The $1 million competition has made a return following a four-year absence, even as many sporting events are cancelled worldwide due to the coronavirus outbreak. — AFP