2018 CIMB Classic Primer: History, TV, Field, Pairings, Odds

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Justin Thomas CIMB Classic
Justin Thomas during day two of the 2016 CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf & CC on Oct. 21, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images

With about 50 tournaments per year, the PGA Tour travels to a great number of locations with awe-inspiring aesthetics. Arguably, not many of those venues are more picturesque than the tropical backdrop of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – the site of this week’s CIMB Classic.

Justin Thomas CIMB Classic
Justin Thomas plays a shot during day four of the 2016 CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 23, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images

The exotic scenery itself makes the CIMB a worthy watch, but there is also going to be some world-class golf played. A rich 78-man field is highlighted by world No. 4, and two-time CIMB winner, Justin Thomas.

The 25-year-old PGA Champion, with his rapidly increasing profile, is the heavy favorite at the first of the three-stop Asian Swing. High expectations bring high pressure, however, and recent PGA Tour winners Keegan Bradley (BMW) and Kevin Tway (Safeway), along with stars such as Rafa Cabrera Bello, Paul Casey, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Xander Schauffele and Billy Horschel, are certainly not going to sit back and do nothing while Thomas cruises his way around TPC Kuala Lumpur.

If Thomas is going to win his third CIMB trophy, he is going to have to earn it.


THE SKINNY

Tournament: CIMB Classic
Dates: Oct. 11-14, 2018
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Course: TPC Kuala Lumpur (West)
Distance: Par 72, 7005 yards
Architect: E&G Parslow
Format: 72 players, 72 holes, no cut, stroke play
Purse: $7,000,000
Winning Share: $1,260,000
FedExCup/OWGR Points: 500/48
Defending Champion: Pat Perez
Marquee Players: Perez, Justin Thomas, Ryan Moore, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Marc Leishman, Keegan Bradley, Kevin Tway, Kyle Stanley, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner, Paul Casey, Emiliano Grillo, Beau Hossler, J.B. Holmes, Anirban Lahiri, Scott Piercy, Chez Reavie, Gary Woodland


TV & ONLINE

Rd 1 (Wed): 10:30 pm – 2:30 am (GOLF)
Rd 2 (Thu): 10:30 pm – 2:30 am (GOLF)
Rd 3 (Fri): 11:00 pm – 3:00 am (GOLF)
Rd 4 (Sat): 11:00 pm – 3:00 am (GOLF)
Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


CIMB CLASSIC HISTORY

Malaysia has been the home of the CIMB Classic since its 2010 inception, with the first three editions being played at The Mines Resort & Club, and then moved permanently to TPC Kuala Lumpur – a course with a great reputation for being one of the most scenic venues in Asia.

Justin Thomas CIMB Classic
Justin Thomas during day two of the 2016 CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf & CC on Oct. 21, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images

The first CIMB (2010) was won by Ben Crane, and has since been won by Bo Van Pelt, Nick Watney, Ryan Moore (twice), Justin Thomas (twice), and Pat Perez.

While the CIMB Classic field is traditionally small, it is sanctioned by both the PGA and Asian Tours, which leads to a unique mix of great players from all over the planet.

As a no-cut event, the $7 million purse is spread out over all 78 players entered.

RECENT CHAMPIONS

2017: Pat Perez
2016: Justin Thomas
2015: Justin Thomas
2014: Ryan Moore
2013: Ryan Moore
2012: Nick Watney

TOURNAMENT RECORDS

Round: 61 (Nick Watney, Justin Thomas)
Final Score (The Mines Resort & Club): 261 (Bo Van Pelt, 2011)
Final Score (TPC Kuala Lumpur): 262 (Justin Thomas, 2015)


DEFENDING CHAMPION

The defending champion of the CIMB Classic is Pat Perez. At the age of 41 years, 7 months and 14 days, Perez became the oldest winner in CIMB Classic history.

Pat Perez Wins CIMB Classic
Pat Perez poses with the trophy after winning the 2017 CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf & CC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images

Perez’s 54-hole total of 195 in 2017 set the tournament record through three rounds and his four-shot lead after 54 holes tied Anirban Lahiri in 2016 for the largest 54-hole lead in tournament history.

In his 2017 CIMB Classic victory, Perez finished T1 in Greens in Regulation.


MARQUEE PAIRINGS

Players ranked in the world top 100 in bold

  • Brandt Snedeker, Paul Casey, Marc Leishman
  • Rafa Cabrera Bello, C.T. Pan, Minchel Choi
  • Kevin Na, Keegan Bradley, Gary Woodland
  • Kevin Tway, Billy Horschel, Si Woo Kim
  • Xander Schauffele, Austin Cook, Brice Garnett
  • Justin Thomas, Pat Perez, Ryan Moore
  • Louis Oosthuizen, Ollie Schniederjans, Justin Harding
  • Cameron Smith, Emiliano Grillo, Ernie Els
  • J.B. Holmes, J.J. Spaun, Sihwan Kim
  • Satoshi Kodaira, Jimmy Walker, Davis Love III
  • Michael Kim, Kyle Stanley, Kevin Chappell
  • Danny Lee, Sam Ryder, Thomas Pieters
  • Scott Piercy, Ted Potter, Jr, Jason Dufner
  • Troy Merritt, Ryan Armour, Brendan Steele

FULL FIELD & ODDS

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