THOMAS STARTS TITLE DEFENCE WITH A NINE-BIRDIE BLITZ
Thomas starts defence of title with a nine-birdie blitz
IT WAS as if Justin Thomas was never away.
The 23-year-old has proved that he’s still as hot as the day he walked away with the CIMB Classic crown a year ago.
Returning to the renamed TPC Kuala Lumpur – the scene where he lifted his maiden US PGA Tour trophy – Thomas began his title defence in style by rolling in nine birdies against a bogey for an eight-under 64 and a share of the first-round lead.
Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, and unheralded Derek Fathauer matched Thomas’ efforts to make it a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.
Fathauer, who finished joint 15th at last week’s Safeway Open in California, the United States, returned a flawless round of eight birdies while Bradley mixed his scorecard with an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys.
World No. 12 Paul Casey sits alone in fourth after firing a 65 while India’s Anirban Lahiri was a shot further back after closing his round with two bogeys.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia, a joint runner-up in 2015, shared sixth spot with Australia’s Aaron Baddeley and Americans Brian Harman and Brendan Steele, the winner of the Safeway Open, with identical 67s.
Thomas was all smiles after enjoying a good day at the office.
“It was a good day. It was solid. If there’s such a thing as an easy eight-under ... this was it,” said Thomas.
“I wedged it great. I took advantage of the first three parfives. I just hit a terrible threeputt on the par-five, No. 3 (for his only blemish of the day).
“I was just very comfortable and it was a pretty low-stress day.”
Bradley was equally delighted with his efforts.
“I’m really happy. I played well from start to finish,” said Bradley, who has yet to win since claiming his third PGA Tour win in 2012 – the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
“I hit a little lull in the middle, but finished up nicely. You’re going to have to shoot low rounds every day. The course is in such good shape and the greens are so good, you’re going to make a lot of birdies. This is a great start.”
While most first-timers find the heat here a great challenge, it was smooth sailing for Fathauer.
“I’m from South Florida, so it’s about as hot there,” said Fathauer, who has yet to win after playing for two full seasons on the PGA Tour.
“I just need to drink more water and stay hydrated. I played really solid ... hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and no bogeys. So eight birdies, no bogeys ... it was a great day.”