LEISHMAN BANKS IN CIMB TITLE

Australian finds early birthday present in Kuala Lumpur

MARC Leishman’s 35th birthday is due in two weeks, and the Australian hasn’t won a title for two years. What he has been wishing for, happened at TPC Kuala Lumpur yesterday — a PGA title.

It’s in Malaysia that Leishman unleashed his full power. So fiery was his form that no rival came near to spoiling his day.

In the final round, Leishman surged to an easy five-stroke victory for his fourth PGA Tour title. He fired a seven-under 65 for a 26-under 262 in the US$7 million (RM29 million) tournament.

Americans Bronson Burgoon, Chesson Hadley and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo finished joint second on 21-under.

Leishman, who carded eight birdies and one bogey, said: “After having two wins two seasons ago (Arnold Palmer Invitational and BMW Championship), not winning this year so far, I was pretty determined to change that and was able to do it this week.”

Overnight co-leader Shubhankar Sharma of India failed to become the first Asian to win the CIMB Classic after his ball dropped into the water on the 11th.

Former World No 1 Justin Thomas played a sensational eight under 64 to end up at joint fifth.

Malaysia’s Ben Leong played par golf in the final round for a four-day (68-70-7172) of seven-under 281 to finish joint 54th with Americans Ted Potter Jr, Brendan Steel, Kim Sihwan and Troy Merritt.

“Playing in a PGA event, I definitely learned a thing or two seeing the top players play here,” he said.