KUALA LUMPUR: Ryan Moore and Gary Woodland will meet in a play-off for the CIMB Classic after they battled through two rain delays to tie for the lead at the close of play yesterday.
The sudden-death play-off was put off until 7.30 a.m. on Monday after tournament organisers ran out of time and daylight due to the storm delays at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Yesterday afternoon’s delays ate up more than three hours.
The two Americans finished atop the leaderboard at 14-under after the completion of regulation play, fending off a challenge from Asia’s top player Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand.
Woodland had a chance to close out the tournament on the 18th hole after knocking a sand wedge near the pin but missed his birdie putt. He was one of several players befuddled by the rain-soaked greens.
“I knew I needed to make (the putt) to win the title. I played it just outside right and it broke too much at the end,” he said.
“I hit it where I wanted to, and unfortunately it didn’t go in.”
Woodland also missed birdie putts on the 14th and 17th holes that could have locked up the victory.
It will be the first playoff in the tournament’s four-year history.
This year also is the first time the CIMB Classic is offering FedExCup points, with 500 on offer.
The winner also gains a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a guaranteed place in next year’s US Masters tournament.
World number three Phil Mickelson, who started the day five strokes behind the leaders after inconsistent ball-striking the first two days, shot a two-over 74 yesterday to finish tied for 19th at five-under. Moore, who spent the rain delay playing the smartphone game Candy Crush, said he was just happy he and Woodland were able to finish the round.
The day “was so crazy with the weather on and off, and I think we’re both pretty happy we just got done at this point”, he said.
“But obviously to have to come back tomorrow for a playoff is not the worst thing ever. I’m just happy to be in it.” The winner earns $1.26m. The lead changed hands several times yesterday, with Kiradech and Chris Stroud of the United States in the mix until the end. They finished tied for second at 13-under. The performance by Kiradech, who has a solid lead on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, underlined his status as a rising star.
The bulky 24-year-old, who is known for his go-for-broke style and long drives, pulled big crowds after winning the Maybank Malaysian Open earlier this year at the same course.
Mickelson, fellow American Keegan Bradley, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and South Africa’s Ernie Els were among a bumper field for the tournament. AFP
