PGA TOUR Power Rankings: 2017 CIMB Classic
![KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 23: Justin Thomas of the United States plays a shot on the1st hole during day four of the 2016 CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 23, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images) KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 23: Justin Thomas of the United States plays a shot on the1st hole during day four of the 2016 CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 23, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/923fe579950a8ca538e3ed9a549d887d4af02b14f3a78dba8f3eba2c7c00e4c4.jpg)
James Hahn isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of a true contender most weeks, but this is a special case. The 35-year-old Cal alum finished the 2016-17 season ranked 68th in the FedEx Cup, and 65th in the Official World Golf Ranking. It’s almost identical to where he was a year ago, but he’s built a great deal of success in the fall season these past couple years.
What’s so special about the CIMB Classic, then? Hahn has finished inside the top ten each of the past two years at Kuala Lumpur, with a solo sixth in 2015 and a solo ninth last year. This is definitely some “horse for the course” stuff, but Hahn has shown strides in his overall game, as well.
In 2015-16, Hahn made 16 cuts in 26 starts, with three top-tens, and five total top-25s. He finished 39th in the FedEx Cup race that year, but he was boosted in large part by his win at the Wells Fargo Championship, which came on the heels of eight straight missed cuts.
The 2016-17 version of Hahn didn’t have quite the same heights, but he added a bit of consistency. He missed just eight cuts all of last year, and added three more top-25 finishes.
Considering the recent form Hahn has displayed at the CIMB, the limited field and the growth in his game, look for him to fight for yet another top-ten this week.