World No 3 Matsuyama joins the fray in CIMB Classic

WORLD No 3 Hideki Matsuyama of Japan has confirmed his participation in the CIMB Classic next week, ensuring for the first time two world top-five golfers will headline the US$7 (RM29.6) million PGA Tour tournament.

With World No 4 American Justin Thomas, who is also the newly crowned FedExCup champion, having confirmed his title defence earlier, Matsuyama’s fifth straight appearance in the PGA Tour’s only tournament in Southeast Asia will ensure plenty of fireworks at TPC Kuala Lumpur on Oct 12-15.

The 25-year-old Matsuyama has been one of the top performers on the global stage where he has won six times over the past 12 months, including two World Golf Championships tournaments, as well as posting two top-fives in the majors at the US Open and PGA Championship this season.

Matsuyama featured in his first CIMB Classic in 2013 on a sponsor’s invitation. He finished tiedfifth in 2015 and second last year behind Thomas.

Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, Group Chief Executive, CIMB Group, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Matsuyama back to the CIMB Classic. Since playing in our event as a sponsor’s exemption in 2013, Hideki’s career has been on a sharp rise with multiple victories achieved on the PGA Tour and at home in Japan over the past year.

“Golf fans will be in for a worldclass treat as Hideki has an impressive track record at TPC Kuala Lumpur which clearly suits his game.”

Next week’s CIMB Classic will include nine major champions, 10 Presidents Cup team members, 15 players from the top-50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and 18 winners from the recent PGA TOUR’s 2016-17 season.