CIMB Classic preview

The fourth event in the PGA Tour's 2014/15 schedule takes us to Asia for the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.

Although the tournament has been staged three times previously, last year's edition was the first time that FedEx Cup points were up for grabs.

Last year was also the first time that Kuala Lumpur Country Club had played host (from 2010-2012 it had been held at The Mines Resort), with Ryan Moore coming through a storm-delayed Monday play-off to edge out fellow American Gary Woodland.

The two had finished at 14-under, Moore setting a course record 63 in the opening round.

The victory was Moore's third PGA Tour success while Woodland was left to rue a missed 10 foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation play that would have given him the title.

The field is limited to 78 players and seven of those finished among the top 30 in last season’s FedExCup points race. It's very much dominated by PGA Tour stars while current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, David Lipsky, heads up the 10-man Asian Tour contingent.

Despite the four-tournament Final Series getting under way on the European Tour this week, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey have all opted to tee it up here.

They'll be playing for a purse of US$7,000,000, with the winner banking US$1,260,000. There is no cut. 

Past winners

Americans have won all four runnings of this tournament. Ben Crane took the title in 2010, Bo Van Pelt triumphed in 2011, Nick Watney returned home with the trophy in 2013 and, of course, Moore came out on top last year. The list of runners-up is also dominated by Americans, The only exception is England's Brian Davis, who was second to Crane in 2010.

Course form

Of the 78 players taking part, 44 have played in past events here while 34 will be seeing the course for the first time. If the venue seems recently familiar, that's because it staged the European Tour's Malaysian Maybank Open back in April. Lee Westwood took the title that week, finishing seven shots clear of Louis Oosthuizen. South African Oosthuizen won the Maybank in 2012 so that means there are five course winners in the field - Moore, Westwood, Oosthuizen, Seung-Yul Noh (2010 Malaysian Open) and Charlie Wi (2006 Malaysian Open). Others with a top five on this track are: Gary Woodland (2nd, 2013 CIMB), KJ Choi (2nd, 2010 Malaysian Open), Chris Stroud (3rd, 2013 CIMB), Charl Schwartzel (4th, 2013 Malaysian Open), Rikard Karlberg (2014 Malaysian Open) and David Lipsky (2012 Malaysian Open).

Conclusion

Lee Westwood trotted up by seven shots here in April's Malaysian Maybank Open, ending a near two-year absence from the winner’s circle with a bang.

He also won that tournament in 1997 before it became co-sanctioned by The European Tour and Asian Tour so has some very fond memories of Malaysia.

After completing victory in March Westwood said: "It’s a golf course that suits my game; it’s very tight in certain areas. I played well, I putted well, and the short game was good.

"I have always played well in Asia, my strike rate is really good. It must be the heat or rice or something, I can't put my finger on it."

His numbers are incredible. That win was the Englishman's 13th win in Asia so it's well worth chancing that he can rack up a 14th.

The high of another Ryder Cup win and a 12th place (he shot 69-69-67) in the recent Frys.com Open in California add further confidence that he'll play a leading role so take the 16/1.

Fellow former course winner Seung-Yul Noh was recording his first, and still only, European Tour win when he triumphed at this venue in 2010.

Of course, he's since gone on to try his luck on the PGA Tour and, in April, made the big breakthrough by landing the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Having won on both Tours before his 23rd birthday, Noh is clearly a huge talent and just last week he finished runner-up in the Korea Open. Take the 33/1.

Finally, Billy Horschel arrived in Malaysia on Sunday so is serious about giving this tournament a good crack.

He was 11th here last and if he can find some of the form which saw him win the FedEx Cup after banking two firsts and a second in the final three events then he could rack up yet another victory.

Best bets

2.5pts e.w. Lee Westwood at 16/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)

1.5pts e.w. Seung-Yul Noh at 33/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)

2pts win Billy Horschel at 16/1

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