65.88

Scoring average for Justin Thomas in the CIMB Classic, the lowest in tournament history (minimum of eight rounds). Adam Scott has the second-lowest average at 67.25. Thomas shot 26-underpar 262 in winning in 2015 and 23-under 265 in winning in 2016. His lowest score is a course-record 61 in the second round in 2015; his highest a third-round 71 in 2016.

KEY GROUPS

World No. 3 Hideki Matsuyama, the highest-ranked player in the field, begins his new season off the first tee alongside Pat Perez and Branden Grace (9:50 p.m. ET Wednesday). Thomas, reigning PGA Tour player of the year, begins his quest for a CIMB Classic three-peat on the 10th tee playing with Xander Schauffele, the 2017 Tour Championship winner, and Gavin Kyle Green (9:40 p.m.). Also off the 10th tee is Jhonattan Vegas, Charl Schwartzel and Brendan Steele, who won the 2017-18 season opener last weekend (9:50 p.m.)

FEDEXCUP

Just as he did last season, Steele took the lead after the PGA Tour’s first event by winning last weekend’s Safeway Open for the second consecutive time. The Tour’s fifth wrap-around season consists of 45 events before the FedExCup Playoffs begins. The Tour Championship is the Playoff finale to be held Sept. 20-23 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Thomas is the defending FedExCup champion.

1. Brendan Steele .............. 500

2. Tony Finau ...................... 300

3. Chesson Hadley ............. 163

3. Phil Mickelson ................. 163

5. Graham DeLaet ............. 105

5. Tyler Duncan ................... 105

7. Bud Cauley ........................ 88

7. Andrew Landry ................. 88

9. Brandon Harkins ............. 73

9. Grayson Murray .............. 73

9. Nick Taylor ........................ 73

9. Tyrone Van Aswegen ...... 73

CIMB CLASSIC Site: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Course: TPC Kuala Lumpur (West)

Yardage: 7,005. Par: 72.

Purse: $7 million

Winner’s share: $1.26 million TV (ET): Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday-Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel)