Justin Thomas stumbles to hand CIMB Classic lead to Anirban Lahri
Sunday 23 October 2016 14:43, UK
Overnight leader Justin Thomas dropped four shots in three holes to hand Anirban Lahiri of India a four-stroke lead going into the CIMB Classic's final round.
The American defending champion had been nearly flawless in seizing the lead in the first two rounds in Kuala Lumpur and looked to be on his way to retaining his sole PGA Tour title.
But Thomas, 23, went bogey, double-bogey and bogey to start Saturday's back nine, and will will need to be razor-sharp on Sunday to catch Lahiri, who notched nine birdies for a seven-under-par 65, his best showing of the week.
Lahiri went to 19-under overall, while Thomas salvaged a 71 at the par-72 TPC Kuala Lumpur to drop four shots behind.
Lahiri, the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, thrived in the breezy conditions in Malaysia, ending strong with four birdies in the final five holes.
Trending
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Only a matter of time before Trent leaves for Madrid'
- Liverpool reject approach for Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid
- Van Gerwen slams Wright: 'He talks so much nonsense'
- Papers: Zirkzee eyed by Juventus, Trippier set for Toon exit
- Arteta on title bid: If Liverpool slip, we'll be there
- West Ham latest: Antonio leaves hospital: I'll be back soon
- World Darts Championship schedule: Littler vs Aspinall on New Year's Day
- Nev and Carra's teams of the season so far and 2025 predictions
- Why have so many of the Golden Generation struggled in management?
- Brentford vs Arsenal preview: Frank has faith in back-up Valdimarsson
Lahiri won at the same venue in the 2015 Maybank Malaysian Open. He said the home-away-from-home feeling served as a "boost to your confidence".
"I'd like to think it's a home crowd. I've had quite a love affair with Malaysia, whether it's the Malaysian Open or the two EurAsia Cups where we've had tremendous support and there's a lot of Indians in KL and Malaysia," he said.
Lahiri's last win was at the Hero Indian Open in February 2015.
Thomas is tied at 15-under with Scotland's Russell Knox, who shot a 68 on Saturday. One stroke further back at 14-under are Derek Fathauer and James Hahn of the United States, along with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
