Course-record for Thomas as low scores dominate CIMB

KUALA LUMPUR: Justin Thomas fired a course-record 11-under-par 61 to take the halfway lead at the CIMB Classic on Friday as conditions at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West course continued to yield low scores.
The American PGA Tour rookie’s career-low round featured nine birdies and an eagle on the par-five third hole as he went 15-under for the tournament to lead by a shot.
He admitted afterward that thoughts of achieving the mythical score of 59 danced in his head, but he was unable to birdie any of the last three holes despite his pinpoint iron play.
“It first came up in my mind after I birdied 11 and 12. When I got to eight-under through 11, I felt like that I had a chance,” said Thomas, 22, who is yet to win on the PGA Tour.
“After I birdied 14 and 15, I knew I just needed to get two of my last three.”
“So it was obviously unfortunate not to get that number but I’m sure I’ll have many more chances in my career.”
On a day of American domination, Brendan Steele was a stroke behind Thomas at 14-under after shooting a 63, one of nine players to get to 65 or less on the par-72 course.
First-round leader Scott Piercy, however, managed only a 69 to follow his opening-day 62, leaving him in joint third with Spencer Levin and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
Matsuyama was the only non-American among the leaderboard’s top 10 finishers.
Other low rounds included a 63 by Brian Harman that left him tied for seventh at 11-under for the event.