Last year Justin Thomas got his first PGA Tour win at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.
Come Sunday, it may be Anirban Lahiri’s turn.
The popular Indian golfer went blowing by the defending champion on Saturday at the CIMB Classic with a seven-under par 65 that could have been better had it not been for a double-bogey at the 12th hole. Still, Lahiri’s nine-birdie output spotted him a four-shot lead over Thomas and Russell Knox going into Sunday’s finale.
“It’s very satisfying to finish the way I did,” said Lahiri, who birdies four of his last five holes to put himself in position for that first victory. “It was definitely a big positive. I was determined to keep my focus right through 18 holes and I’m happy I managed to do that. Just going to try and do the same tomorrow.”
Thomas had an even better finish. He birdied his final five holes of the day and he needed it just to shoot 71 after a disastrous start to the back nine. After finishing his front nine in even par, he went bogey-double-bogey-bogey and was four over on the day with just six holes to play.
He’s at 15-under par, four back along with Russell Knox, who shot 68.
Derek Fathauer, James Hahn and Hideki Matsuyama were all in at 14-under par.
