Matsuyama joins starry field at next week’s CIMB Classic

WORLD No. 3 Hideki Matsuyama has committed to play in the CIMB Classic next week, ensuring for the first time two top-5 golfers from the official world golf ranking headlining the US$7 million (RM29.7m) PGA TOUR tournament in Malaysia.

With two-time defending champion and world No. 4 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 for golf fans to enjoy at TPC Kuala Lumpur from 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.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hideki Matsuyama back to the CIMB Classic,” said CIMB Group Shief executive Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz.

“Golf fans will be in for a world-class treat as Hideki has an impressive track record at TPC Kuala Lumpur which clearly suits his game. It’ll be fun to see if he can deny Justin Thomas a third successive victory at the CIMB Classic.

“Their presence is a huge boost as it will mean our tournament will feature two golf stars from the world’s top-5 for the first time since our inauguration in 2010.”

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.

Advance tickets for the CIMB Classic are now on sale on www. ticketpro.com.my, Ticket Pro sales channels and selected MST Golf Stores in the Klang Valley.