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PGA Tour CIMB Classic Predictions, Preview

By Cameron La Fontaine

Aug 22, 2014; Paramus, NJ, USA; Patrick Reed hits his second shot on the fourth hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament at Ridgewood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2014; Paramus, NJ, USA; Patrick Reed hits his second shot on the fourth hole during the second round of The Barclays golf tournament at Ridgewood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The PGA Tour is headed to its first international tournament this weekend when it docks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the CIMB Classic.

The fourth PGA Tour tournament of the year and the first international of the season will commence this weekend as tour players will dock in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the CIMB Classic.

This will be the second year that Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club in Malaysia has hosted the CIMB Classic and the second year the tournament has awarded FedExCup points and official earnings. The Asian Tour co-sanctions the event.

Kuala Lumpur G&CC is a par 72 that lists at only 6,985 yards. The par 5s at Kuala Lumpur averaged 4.77 in 2013, tied for 12th-most difficult on the PGA TOUR. The closing hole can play 634 yards and it gave no eagles in 2013. Last year’s winner was Ryan Moore, who shot 14-under par and won in a playoff over Gary Woodland. While it has only awarded FedEx Cup points once, the tour has traveled to Malaysia for the event every year since 2010. Each winner of the CIMB Classic has been an American as well as each runner-up excluding one in 2010, Brian Davis (England).

The 78-man field won’t have it easy this year as rain and thunderstorms are all over the weather forecast throughout the week. Hot and humid Malaysian conditions will elevate the risk. All four rounds of last year’s tournament were played under the lift-clean-and-place provision and expect that again this year.

Watch: Golf Channel

Wednesday, Oct. 29: 11PM-3AM ET
Thursday, Oct. 30, Friday Oct. 31, Saturday Nov. 1: 12PM-4PM ET, 11PM-3AM ET
Sunday, Nov. 2: 12PM-3PM ET
Monday, Nov. 3: 2PM-6PM ET

Here are the power rankings based on predictions for who will win the 2014 CIMB Classic.

1. Patrick Reed, USA

Was extremely impressive in the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland with a 3-0-1 record with playing partner Jordan Spieth. Look for Reed to shine all year, and get one under his belt early here at Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

2. Gary Woodland, USA

He tied for ninth in his last tournament, the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake. He was also the runner up at the CIMB Classic last season. Expect Woodland to have guns blazing and look to try and get a win.

3. Jason Dufner, USA

He had to withdrawal from the PGA Championship in August due to due to bulging discs in his neck that required surgery. He’s only started in one event since then and it was last week’s Perth International where he comfortably settled for 23rd.

4. Lee Westwood, England

He’s been playing well as of late with three top-20’s in his last five events. He finished T-12 at the Frys.com Open to begin his PGA Tour season. Look for Westwood to be near the top of the pack.

 5. Will Mackenzie, USA

Played very well at Seaside Golf Course last week tying for second in a playoff loss. Also played very well in the first half of 2013-2014 season. Mackenzie may be going for the Jimmy Walker award and go for the first half MVP this season.

6. Sergio Garcia, Spain

First time he’s played since the Ryder Cup. Played exceptionally in the 2013-2014 PGA Tour season despite not getting a win. He was second on tour with a 68.950 scoring average, look for Mr. Consistent to shine again this year on tour, maybe he can grab a win while he’s at it.

7. Anirban Lahiri, India

Won in Macau on Sunday. Second on Asian Tour Order of Merit. Top 15s in five of last seven starts worldwide. T35 here last year.

8. Brendon De Jonge, Zimbabwe

Carded a bogey-free 65 in regulation last Sunday at Seaside where he finished tied for second after losing in the playoff. He was very impressive and look for De Jonge to take some momentum with him into Malaysia.

9. Hideki Matsuyama, Japan

Opened the season with a T3 at the Frys.com Open and T10 at the Shriners Open. Leads the PGA TOUR in ball-striking. T25 at last year’s CIMB Classic. May have a real shot to play well here this weekend.

10. Seung-Yul Noh, South Korea

Tied for ninth in at the Deutsche Bank Championship in September and tied for 23rd in Colorado. Finished second last week in an event in his native South Korea. Seung-Yul Noh is playing well and three top tens and one win last year on tour, look for him to expand on that this season.

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