Justin Thomas successfully defends CIMB Classic

Justin Thomas cards final-round 64 to defend Malaysian event on the PGA Tour. 

Andy Roberts's picture
Mon, 24 Oct 2016

Justin Thomas successfully defends CIMB Classic

Justin Thomas landed his second PGA Tour title by defending the CIMB Classic in Malaysia following a final-round 64. 

Thomas, 23, becomes the first player since Matt Every (2014-15 Arnold Palmer Invitational) to successfully defend a title on the PGA Tour.

India's Anirban Lahiri led by four shots heading into the final round but made a nine on the par-5 five third to hand the initiative to Thomas, who went on to seal a three-shot victory over Hideki Matsuyama on 23-under. 

The American, who narrowly missed a Ryder Cup pick in Davis Love's victorious side last month, used his new Scotty Cameron X5 Prototype to devastating effect at Kuala Lumpur GC by leading the field in birdies with 29 and ranking fourth in putts per green in regulation with 1.625.

Thomas, who has been a blade user the majority of his career, is now using the X5 mallet as he prefers its forgiveness and stability.

The Titleist staff player also used a 917 D3 driver, 917 F3 fairway, 712U 2-iron, 716 MB in 4 to 9-iron, Vokey SM6 wedges and a Pro V1x ball.

Justin Thomas: In the bag

Driver: Titleist 917 D3 (9.5 degrees; Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana White Board 73X)

3-wood: Titleist 917 F3 (15 degrees; Mitsubishi Rayon S+ Limited Edition 80TX)

Irons: Titleist 712 U (2; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100), Titleist 716 MB (4-9; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM6 (46-10F degrees; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100), Titleist Vokey SM5 (52-12F and 56-14F degrees; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400), Titleist Vokey SM6 (60K degrees; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X5 Flow Neck Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x