The PGA Tour heads overseas this week to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the CIMB Classic, an event co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour. The host course, previously named Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, has undergone a change; the club has now come under the Tournament Players Club umbrella.
One player who is happy about the closer relationship between the PGA Tour and the newly christened TPC Kuala Lumpur is Titleist Brand Ambassador Justin Thomas (Pro V1x). Thomas won his first PGA Tour title at last year's CIMB Classic and he regards Malaysia as his top golf destination.
"I'm excited to be back this week," said Thomas. "It's always exciting for me to travel to different places and get outside of America. Malaysia is my favorite place to come to. Kuala Lumpur is great with all the things that we can do. The golf course is great and the fans are great. It's been enjoyable."
Last year Thomas set a tournament record in capturing his maiden victory, shooting four rounds in the 60s en route to a 26-under-par 262 wining total. He fired an 11-under-par 61 in the second round that featured one eagle, 9 birdies and no bogeys. He led the field in birdies for the week, carding a remarkable 30 total birdies for the event.
The 23-year-old is picking up right off where he left off last year in defense of his title. He opened with a blistering 8-under-par 64 on the 7,000 yard, par-72 layout and followed up with a 6-under-par 66 on Friday to take a two-shot lead at the midway point.
"Scores are usually low here," Thomas said. "You never know. It's a course [where] 20-under could win. It's a place where someone can really get rolling and go two or three days and shoot some really, really low scores. I'll take 26-under right now."
With soft course conditions and favorable weather expected for the weekend, that 26-under mark is certainly within reach. Expect players like Thomas to keep up their aggressive play.
"It's not a course you have to overthink," Thomas explained. "It's all in front of you. Just hit here, hit there and make the putt and beat everybody else. There won't be anything too different than what I did last year. I felt like we had a great game plan and more importantly just need to get rested and get my body feeling fresh."
Best of luck the rest of the way, Justin!
Let's take a look at the equipment Justin Thomas will be trusting this week in defense of his CIMB Classic title.
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Driver: 917D3 (9.5°)
Fairways: 917F3 (15°), 915Fd (18°)
Irons: 716 MB (4-9)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM5 pitching (46°), gap (52°), sand (56°) and lob (60°)
Putter: Scotty Cameron X5
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TITLEIST BY THE NUMBERS
A total of 50 players in the 78-player field are trusting a Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball for their success at the CIMB Classic, more than six times the nearest competitor with 8 and more than all competitors combined.
Titleist is also the top choice in iron sets (T1/17) and Vokey Design Wedges are also tops in the approach, sand and lob wedge (77) category.
#TeamTitleist