Kuala Lumpur: American Justin Thomas staved off a spirited challenge from former world number one Adam Scott to win his maiden PGA Tour title by one stroke at the CIMB Classic on Sunday (November 1).
The 22-year-old from Kentucky, in his second year on Tour after a solid rookie season, was tied with compatriot Brendan Steele for the lead coming into the final round.
Thomas mixed an eagle, six birdies and a double bogey on the 14th for a six-under-par 66 that took him to a total of 26-under in the $7 million co-sanctioned Asian Tour event, the third of the new PGA Tour season.
Scott scorched the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and climbed up the leaderboard with a round of nine-under-par 63, that included seven birdies and an eagle on the par-five third.
Thomas needed a par on the par-five 18th to avoid a playoff with Australian Scott but put himself under pressure when his 25-foot birdie putt went five feet past the hole.
But he made no mistake this time and holed the putt for his maiden win.
Steele, the other overnight leader, carded a 68 to finish tied for the third spot with South Korean-born American Kevin Na on 24-under.
