Leong to play at CIMB Classic

Ben Leong has confirmed his spot in the CIMB Classic, which starts on Thursday, at TPC Kuala Lumpur (TPCKL), replacing compatriot Gavin Green, who has opted to focus on the European Tour.

Leong, an Asian Tour professional, was offered the spot by virtue of being the second highest ranked Malaysian at World No 407 in the golf rankings.

World No 186 Gavin is currently playing his first full season on the European Tour after winning last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Leong, who is currently competing at the Yeangder TPC in Taiwan, said: “I am honoured and surprised with the news.

“I am looking forward to playing a PGA Tour event on the newly-upgraded TPCKL,” said Leong, who is joint 13th with compatriot Nicholas Fung with rounds of 6876-70 at the Yeangder TPC yesterday.

Leong, who finished joint 64th at the 2015 CIMB Classic, skipped last week’s CIMB Classic National Championship to play at the Taiwan Masters.

He now hopes to get a good confident booster ahead of the CIMB Classic by doing well at the Yeangder TPC.

“I will still try to make as many birdies in the final round tomorrow. Getting to play at the CIMB Classic is a huge boost and I hope to make use of the opportunity by playing well,” he added.

Leong and 23-year-old Jeremiah Kim, who won the national event, are the two Malaysians competing in the CIMB Classic.