Justin Thomas yesterday birdied four of his last six holes to hold off a spirited charge by Adam Scott and earn his maiden PGA Tour victory at the CIMB Classic.
Thomas’ six-under-par 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.
“ 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.”
Photo: AFP
The US golfer rallied to birdie the next three holes and went on to clinch the win, US$1.26 million in prize money and 500 FedEx Cup points.
The hot, humid conditions at the par-72 Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club had yielded a slew of sub-65 rounds throughout the tournament, and nothing less than a scintillating performance would win it yesterday.
Scott, who failed to win a tournament last season, nearly caught Thomas by shooting the round of the day, a bogey-free nine-under 63 that included an eagle on the par-five third.
However, 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,” 35-year-old Scott said.
Scott is among many players in the field hoping to take momentum into the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai this week.
Brendan Steele and Kevin Na tied for third at 24-under after respective rounds of 68 and 67.
The win gives Thomas the early lead in the FedEx Cup race, but with plenty of golf left to play.
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