Thomas Battles Back to Capture Second Straight CIMB Classic

After shooting an eight-under-par, 64, Justin Thomas was able to reclaim his title at the CIMB Classic over names like Hideki Matsuyama and 54-hole leader Anirban Lahiri.

Thomas, who finished at 23-under-par for the event, quickly gained ground on the leader, Lahiri, in the fourth and final round carding four birdies in his first five holes. Thomas was then able to play take some deep breaths and play the game his own way knowing he had caught up. That would lead to four more birdies on the day capped off by this putt Thomas rolled in on the par-4 17th.

Lahiri faltered out of the gate shooting a quadruple bogey on the par-5 fourth after getting his ball stuck in a tree.

Lahiri was able to keep his wits about him after the catastrophe and regain some ground carding a birdie on the fifth and an eagle on the sixth hole, only after knocking down a downhill 35-footer.

Matsuyama, who carded a six-under 66 to finish second at 20-under, golfed extremely well at Kuala Lumpur, carding 23 birdies and an eagle. Matsuyama’s downfall was a minor malfunction as he made the turn to the back nine in his first round. A double bogey on the 10th put Matsuyama at a two-over-par deficit and allowed Thomas to go up by five strokes after he shot an eight-under, 64.

This upcoming week, the PGA Tour jumps on a plane for just over five hours as it heads from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Shanghai, China for the WGC-HSBC Champions where last year’s winner, Russell Knox will defend his title against a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Henrik Stenson.

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited. Until then I’ll leave you on the lighter side.