World-class field on show
Russell Knox will be one of the star attractions at TPC Kuala Lumpur
THE seventh edition of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur in two weeks time promises loads of excitement with a world-class field laden with proven winners and major championship title holders.
In announcing 67 of the players committed to the US PGA Tour event from Oct 20-23, the CIMB Group highlighted the quality by name-dropping Adam Scott and World Golf Hall of Fame members Vijay Singh and Ernie Els.
Fijian Vijay has 34 PGA Tour titles to his credit, including three majors, South African Els has 19 PGA career wins with four majors, while Australia’s Scott has 13 Tour titles and one major to his name. He was runner-up at last year’s CIMB Classic and will no doubt be aiming to go one better next week.
Such is the depth of the field that no fewer than 21 of the players won on the just-ended 2015-16 PGA Tour season, including defending CIMB Classic champion Justin Thomas.
Two-time CIMB Classic winner and fivetime PGA Tour winner Ryan Moore will also fancy his chances at TPC Kuala Lumpur, a venue he says holds a special place in his heart.
With his victory at the John Deere Classic in August and a runner-up finish at the season-ending Tour Championship last week, Moore will come into the event as one of the players to watch, and for good reason.
Understandably pleased by the potential this field has of making the US$7mil tournament the best yet, CIMB Group chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz told TeeUp: “Every year we try to play host to an event that features some of the world’s leading players as well as showcasing Malaysia as a top golf destination.
“We believe we will have achieved at least some of this with the field assembled at the recently re-branded TPC Kuala Lumpur.
“There will be nine of the top 13 players from the final FedExCup standings, which in effect is one of the strongest line-ups ever in South-East Asia . So we’re obviously excited about it and can assure fans of a great tournament next week.” Among the leading players from the FedExCup are Patrick Reed (3rd), Scott (4), Paul Casey (5), Moore (7), Russell Knox (10), Emiliano Grillo (11),11) Justin Thomas (12),12) Hideki Matsuyama (13), Si Woo Kim (17), Gary Woodland (20), Kevin Kisner (23), Daniel Berger (26), Sean O’Hair (27), Kevin Na (28) and Jhonattan Vegas (29).
Another pre-tournament favourite is Reed, who had 11 top 10s in 28 PGA Tour starts in the last campaign and saw his stock rise after helping the United States regain the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota last weekend.
European Ryder Cup team members Sergio Garcia and RRafa Cabrera-Bello look good bets for a decent rrun at TPC Kuala Lumpur.
But Russelll Knox is perhaps the continent’s best shot.
The Scot wwon the World Golf Championshiips-HSBC Champions a week after last seasson’s CIMB Classic. With his triumph at the TTravelers Championship in August, he is a player who could have a huge say in who wwalks away with the silver trophy on Oct 23.
And with tthis, we bring you excerpts of an email interviiew with the player:
Q: This willl be your second year playing in the CIMB Classic. What do you remember most about beingb in Malaysia and do you have a favoriite thing about the country?
RK: My wiffe was with me. We had an excellent time. The golf course was a fun course to playy, I remember there were a lot of risk-reward shots,s which made it enjoyable. It wasn’t quitte as hot as I thought it was going to be, which wasw nice. The whole experience was positive and that’s why I look forward to going back. Q: The golf course was just re-branded the first TPC course in South-East Asia. What are yourr overall thoughts on TPC Kuala Lumpuur? RKK: It’s immaculate. The condition of thhe course was flawless. I remmember a lot of water, so it’s kiinda stressful in that aspect. TThere are a couple of driveable hholes as well and the par-5s are ffun. If you played well you could score well, but if you were a little off, you’re going to be struggling.
Q: Last year, you won your first tournament the very next week at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions. Did you gain anything from your week at the CIMB Classic ?
RK: I think I improved almost every round during the CIMB Classic. I was starting to feel it a little bit and I think I had a decent last day, so it gave my game a boost. I was hitting some good shots and some good putts. Going into that tournament the next week was a huge confidence booster.
Q: How much has winning two tournaments in the last year helped you overall?
RK: It’s unbelievable. Now I know I can beat almost everyone. It’s really nice to know that I beat the best and then at the Travelers obviously the field was very strong too. It is nice to tee it up on the first hole knowing you’ve managed to finish first twice.
Q: You made the Tour Championship last week and finished a career-best 10th in the FedExCup. And with the CIMB Classic offering full FedExCup points, how important is it to get off to a good start in these early days of the new season?
RK: The last few years, that’s been my biggest strength. I’ve managed to get off to great starts. I always seem to play well in the fall. That time of year, for whatever reason, is a good time of the year for me. I think it’s crucial to get off to as fast a start as possible before the Christmas break. Then whenever you start backing up, you already have some points tucked away in your back pocket, and you’re ready to go.
Knox won’t be the only one ready to go next week. There will be a top-class field in Kuala Lumpur, all eyeing the CIMB Classic trophy.