Justin Thomas of the United States rehydrates on the second hole during the final round of the CIMB Classic golf tournament at Tournament Players Club (TPC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul)
Justin Thomas of the United States rehydrates on the second hole during the final round of the CIMB Classic golf tournament at Tournament Players Club (TPC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul) Credit: ap — Joshua Paul

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Justin Thomas completed a fairytale return to the CIMB Classic with a successful title defense after eight birdies in the final round Sunday earned him a three-shot victory over closest rival Hideki Matsuyama.

The American did not match his record tournament score of 26-under 262 in 2015, but still finished with an impressive 23 under for only his second PGA Tour title.

“It’s great to win again here. It’s a place I’m comfortable with … Hopefully I will be able to come back next year,” said Thomas, who shot a 64 to match his first-day score.

Overnight leader Anirban Lahiri, who led the field by four shots into the final round, lost ground after a quadruple bogey on the third hole, after his tee shot went into a tree.

The Indian recovered admirably with a birdie and eagle in the next two holes, but the early setback meant he only settled in joint third with Derek Fathauer (67).

Marc Leishman (66) finished one shot away from Lahiri in fifth, with former Woodstock High golfer Keegan Bradley (68) one spot below him on 16 under.

PGA Tour Bound For South Korea

Seoul, South Korea — The PGA Tour will play an official event in South Korea next year.

The tour and the CJ Corporation said today that The CJ Cup at Nine Bridges will be played Oct. 19-22, 2017, as part of the current season. Nine Bridges is on Jeju Island off South Korea’s southern coast.

The tournament will have a $9.25 million purse. The 78-man field will feature 60 players from the PGA Tour’s FedExCup points list.

Nine Bridges was the site of a CJ-sponsored LPGA Tour event from 2002-05. CJ also sponsored the One Asian Tour’s CJ Invitational from 2011-13.

The Presidents Cup matches between the United States and non-European international players was held last year at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon.