The BWD Tournament Hole of the Week: October 12 – 15, 2017. The 9th at TPC Kuala Lumpur, Home of CIMB Classic.

Tournament:             CIMB Classic- TPC Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hole:               9th – Par 4, 424 Yards

Architect(s): Nelson & Haworth – 1991    

Parslow & Winter Golf Design (redesign) – 2008     

Architectural Summary:

The ninth hole at TPC Kuala Lumpur is a par four measuring 424 yards that will require accuracy off the tee for CIMB Classic competitors. Strategy and club selection will be emphasized as competitors must decide how much risk they are willing to take on from the elevated tee. The fairway is rather generous, measuring over 30 yards wide, short of the left fairway bunker at 278 yards, but constricts beyond that point. A large lake runs down the right side of the fairway, while trees line the left side that will penalize any player not finding the landing area. Should competitors successfully find the fairway, a straightforward mid-iron to wedge will be left into the green depending upon the player’s position. Three greenside bunkers protect the significantly undulating putting surface at the front. The green slopes from left-to-right and measures 30 yards deep by 26 yards wide at the widest portion in the rear. Competitors will look to find the correct quadrant of the sizable green to avoid potential three-putts.

Statistical Analysis:

During the 2016 tournament, the 9th hole played to a scoring average of 4.04 (38 Birdies, 229 Pars, 41 Bogeys, and 4 Doubles).

Fun Facts:

  • 2015 and 2016 tournament champion Justin Thomas is looking to become just the 18th person in history to three-peat at a PGA Tour event. The last person to win a PGA Tour event three years in a row was Steve Stricker who won the John Deere Classic from 2009-2011. Thomas’ current caddie was coincidently on Stricker’s bag when he accomplished that feat in 2011.
  • Thomas also holds the course record at TPC Kuala Lumpur which he accomplished en route to his 2015 victory.
  • The CIMB Classic is the first event of the Asian swing on the Tour and the only tournament in Southeast Asia. The PGA Tour schedule has become increasingly international as the 2017-2018 schedule includes nine tournaments outside the U.S.