Thomas defends CIMB Classic title

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23, (RTRS): Justin Thomas fired a final round eightunder-par 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit at the start of the day and successfully defend his CIMB Classic title in Malaysia on Sunday.

The 23-year-old American capitalised on overnight leader Anirban Lahiri’s quadruple bogey nine on the par-five third hole to retake a lead he had held over the first two days before easing clear to win by three shots with a 23-under total.

“This is what you play for, to get into these situations and handle them well, like I did, and it’s just a great start to the year,” Thomas said in a greenside interview after sealing victory in the second event on the 2017 PGA Tour calendar.

Lahiri was searching for a maiden PGA Tour win at the TPC Kuala Lumpur

Thomas

course but the five-shot swing after he lodged his tee shot in a tree left the Indian with too much to do and he had to settle for a tie for third, four strokes back.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama birdied the last two holes to sign for a 66 and claim second place on 20-under, with Lahiri (72) and American first round co-leader Derek Fathauer (67) rounding out the top four a further shot adrift.

After looking imperious in the first two rounds, Thomas suffered a midround meltdown on Saturday when he dropped four shots in three holes before a run of five consecutive birdies from the 14th kept him in touch with a surging Lahiri.

Thomas maintained his hot streak on Sunday with four birdies on his opening five holes to forge a two-shot lead over his faltering Indian playing partner and the American felt the closing stretch the previous day had set up his victory charge.