Justin Thomas had an eagle and nine birdies in shooting a course-record 61 at the CIMB Classic on Friday, taking the lead into the weekend at the PGA Tour’s event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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But 22-year-old Thomas showed maturity and composure beyond his years to win his first Tour crown by birdieing three of his final four holes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Thomas had a double bogey on the 14th after hitting into the water, then rallied with three consecutive birdies to take the outright lead.
Thomas’ six-under-par 66 left him at 26-under for the tournament, one stroke better than former Masters victor Scott, who almost snagged a come-from-behind victory with a superb 63.
Position: Moore (14-under 202) is tied for 10th, six strokes behind co-leaders Brendan Steele and Justin Thomas (20-under 196).
“The thing I told myself is (that) I really didn’t do it because I was nervous. I’ll practice a little bit and head back to the hotel”, said the 23-year-old Japanese.
Kim made a 3-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for an even-par 72 in hard conditions along the South China Sea at Jian Lake Blue Bay. “I putted well with this particular putter at times last season and haven’t had a reason to change or try something else”.
Jason Gore was tied for third on 66 with American compatriots Keagan Bradley and Charles Howell III plus Germany’s Alex Cejka and Cameron Smith of Australia.
Scott Piercy, who led after an opening 62, was only two shots off the lead alongside Spencer Levin and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Thomas, a close friend of second-ranked Jordan Spieth, continued the early season trend of players in their early 20s claiming their first PGA Tour victories, after Emiliano Grillo at Silverado and Smylie Kaufman in Las Vegas.
“I’m not fully satisfied with five birdies and there’s a sense of wastefulness”, said Matsuyama, who had three birdies in his first five holes on Sunday to temporarily tie for the lead.
Stewart Cink was 12 under after a 64, with Brian Harman and Kevin Na at 11 under.
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Lahiri found the kind of the momentum he needed on the front nine but the return journey was once again dry as he finished with a five-under 67.
