Brilliant Thomas defends CIMB Classic title in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Justin Thomas fired a final round eight-under-par 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit at the start of the day and successfully defend his CIMB Classic title in Malaysia on Sunday. The 23-year-old American capitalized on overnight leader Anirban Lahiri's quadruple bogey nine on the par-five third hole to retake a lead he had held over the first two days before easing clear to win by three shots with a 23-under total. Lahiri was searching for a maiden PGA Tour win at the TPC Kuala Lumpur course but the five-shot swing after he lodged his tee shot in a tree left the Indian with too much to do and he had to settle for a tie for third, four strokes back. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama birdied the last two holes to sign for a 66 and claim second place on 20-under, with Lahiri (72) and American first round co-leader Derek Fathauer (67) rounding out the top four a further shot adrift. The $7 million limited field event, the second on the 2017 PGA Tour calendar, is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour. (Writing by John O'Brien in Singapore; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)