CIMB CLASSIC VICTORY
... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak handing over the CIMB Classic trophy to Justin Thomas at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club yesterday. The 22-yearold American golfer overcame a double bogey on the 14th to win the CIMB Classic for his first PGA Tour title. CIMB group chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Abdul Razak is at left.
JUSTIN THOMAS birdied four of his last six holes to hold off a spirited charge by Adam Scott and earn his maiden PGA Tour victory yesterday at the CIMB Classic at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club . Thomas’ 6-under 66 left him at 26-under for the tournament, one stroke better than former Masters winner Scott, who nearly snagged a come-from-behind victory with a superb 63. Thomas, who led after the second and third rounds, nearly threw it all away down the stretch when he chunked a shot into the water on the 14th hole for a double bogey. “But I just kept telling myself I controlled the tournament before that shot, so I just need to get back in it,” said Thomas, 22, who set a course record 61 in the second round. “I had four more holes to try to make some more birdies and was fortunate enough to do it.” The American rallied to birdie the next three holes and went on to clinch the win and 500 FedEx Cup points. Scott nearly caught Thomas by shooting the round of the day, a bogeyfree 9-under 63 that included an eagle on the par-5 third. But a long eagle putt on 18 that could have tied it went wide. “I threw everything I could at it today. I’m playing well, and that’s nice, because I haven’t played that well for a while,” said Scott, 35. Americans Brendan Steele and Kevin Na tied for third at 24under after respective rounds of 68 and 67.