Oct 10, 2017: India’s Anirban Lahiri believes he can mount a strong challenge at the CIMB Classic when the US$7 million event gets underway at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Lahiri, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, who also holds a full PGA TOUR card, ended his challenge at the lucrative Malaysian showpiece in tied-third place last year.
He returns as a more accomplished player, having finished 51st in the FedExCup in his second season on the PGA TOUR which was also his best finish to date.
The TPC Kuala Lumpur is also a winning ground for Lahiri, who lifted the 2015 Malaysian Open trophy here.
Lahiri will be part of the elite 78-man field that also features world number three, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
As the highest ranked player in the field this week, Matsuyama will be seeking a grandstand finish, having finished runner-up to Justin Thomas last year and tied-fifth in 2015.
The Japanese will also be the man to watch having won six times in the last 12 months on the global stage, including two World Golf Championships and posting two top-five finishes in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship.
Did you know?
- Lahiri held a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2016 CIMB Classic, a tournament record, before eventually finishing tied-third.
- The Indian will be making his sixth appearance at the CIMB Classic.
- Lahiri made his second start in last month’s Presidents Cup as a Captain’s pick for the International Team.
- Hideki Matsuyama is making his fifth straight start at the CIMB Classic this year.
- Matsuyama also captured the Waste Management Phoenix Open last season, successfully defending his title – his strong play throughout the season made him the leader of the FedExCup standings entering the playoffs.
- Matsuyama made his third appearance for the International Presidents Cup Team last month at Liberty National Golf Club, where the team was defeated by the U.S. Team.
Asian Tour Release
