Moore to the fore in CIMB Classic

American Ryan Moore leads the CIMB Classic by two strokes after hitting a first round score of nine-under 63 at the KLGCC on Thursday. - The STAR

American Ryan Moore outshone his more illustrious PGA Tour stars like Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els by going on a birdie binge to score a spectacular nine-under 63 – and a two-stroke lead – on the opening day of the CIMB Classic at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC).

World No. 45 Moore recovered from an opening bogey setback to finish on top after notching 10 birdies on the trot to lead from Major champion Keegan Bradley, who shot a flawless 65 on the challenging course.

Spanish Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia, who is making his debut in the US$7mil (RM22.4mil) event, finished the day three shots off the pace to be in third position after a bogey-free 66.

Current Asian Tour No. 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand upstaged playing partner and world No. 3 Mickelson with a fine 67 to share fourth place with multiple PGA Tour winner Rory Sabbatini, Boo Weekly, Chris Kirk and Chris Stroud. South Korea’s K.J. Choi, an Asian Tour honorary member, was a further stroke behind after a 68.

Moore, who finished tied for fifth in the inaugural tournament in 2010, birdied all the par-three holes to charge into the lead at Asia’s first official FedExCup event. His superb round was the lowest score recorded at the West course but it will not count as an official record because of the preferred lies ruling.

“That might be the first time I have ever done that,” said a delighted Moore, his face flushed red but otherwise looking cheerful, after managing to birdie all the par threes. “I had four twos on my card, hit a great shot to about eight feet. I mean you don’t expect that all the time, but it was nice.”

Moore is hoping that the low round is a good omen for the coming days as his previous low round of 61 in Las Vegas last year earned him a second PGA Tour title. “The last time I had a good round like this to start, I won the tournament,” he said.

“It’s always great to get off to a good start and get comfortable on a golf course, especially one that you haven’t played on before, and to go hit it in the right places, put it in the fairway, putting it on the greens ... and for me it was huge just to make some putts.”

Bradley, who lifted the 2011 PGA Championship, was a happy man as well, saying the break after a hectic finish to the 2013 US season had given him a much-needed boost to recharge his batteries.

“I had a really great day, super relaxed from the start, really one of my better rounds of the year. This course is very difficult. Rough is up and the greens are really firm,” said Bradley. “I put the clubs away for a few days but I’ve got a lot of work to do this year, set a lot of goals that I want to accomplish. “I want to contend in the Majors and play better in them.”

Garcia, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, returned with a bogey-free round and said he was inspired to shoot a low round after playing in the pro-am with the Queen of Malaysia, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah Hamidun, the day before.

“It was a great experience. She played quite nicely and we had a great time. When I hit a good shot, she said, ‘oh, tomorrow you’ll hit it over there. Don’t worry.’ So I guess she knew something that I didn’t know,” said the smiling Spaniard.
-thestar online.