Seven Star-Studded Players Set To Feature In 2018 CIMB Classic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) – World number four and two-time CIMB Classic Golf champion, Justin Thomas are among a few renowned golfers who are set to feature in the annual prestigious tournament, slated to be held at TPC in Bukit Kiara from Oct 11-14. Other star-studded stars who will be making headlines in the US$7 million (RM29.010 million) tournament are two other Americans – world number 18, Xander Schauffele and world number 31, Keegan Bradley; world number 19, Paul Casey (England); world number 20, Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), and World Golf Hall of Fame members, South African veteran Ernie Els and Davis Love III of the United States. Thomas noted that he was delighted to return to Malaysia to chase for glory for the third time, having claimed back-to-back the 2005 and 2006 editions. “I have very fond memories of Kuala Lumpur, as it was where I had my first PGA Tour victory in 2015, and then to successfully defend the title in 2016 was truly special,”he was quoted as saying in the statement issued by Asian Tour. “I look forward to the opportunity to become the first player to win the CIMB Classic three times! It will be fun to play on the newly renovated West course at TPC Kuala Lumpur,” the 25-year-old long-hitting American added. The seven players will be joined by defending champion American Pat Perez, who had earlier announced his intention to defend his CIMB Classic title where he won by four strokes over Bradley, last year. Vice President and Executive Director of PGA Tour, Todd Rhinehart said they were delighted to announce the first line-up of star-studded players who will take in the tournament, featuring from the PGA Tour and also from the World Golf Hall of Fame members. “The CIMB Classic continues to drive the growth of the game in Malaysia and Southeast Asia and will also kick off an exciting three-tournament stretch in Asia for the PGA TOUR,” Todd added. The CIMB Classic will celebrate its ninth edition this year, with the sole PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament in Southeast Asia being the second tournament of the new 2018-19 PGA Tour Season. Two Malaysian golfers will get a chance to play alongside top class players in the tournament, with one slot will be given to the winner of the CIMB National Championship which will take place from Sept 25-28 at TPC East course. Another slot will be allocated to the highest ranked Malaysian player on the Official World Golf Ranking as of October 1. The 2018 CIMB Classic will feature a field of 78 players, comprising the top 60 available players from the 2017-18 FedEx Cup points list, eight sponsor exemptions and the top 10 available players from the Asian Tour. -- BERNAMA