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CIMB Classic: five sleeper picks

By Mike Randleman

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 23: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays on the 1st 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: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays on the 1st 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) /
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CIMB Classic
CIMB Classic Sleeper Rankings (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images) /

The PGA Tour begins its three-tournament Asian swing this week at the CIMB Classic. The event is in its eighth year and fifth at TPC Kuala Lumpur, formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

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The par 72, 7,200-yard West course lends itself to low scores as the average winning tally since 2013 is 20-under-par. Proper positioning off the tee, with often less than driver, is the key this week. Length is not the be all end all, but it could help under expected wet conditions.

This week is a no-cut event with just 78 golfers in the field.

The last two years have seen Justin Thomas romp to victory at 26- and 23-under. The world No. 4’s stature has exceeded an event of this caliber, but kudos to Thomas for returning for another title defense. If my research is correct, no golfer has won the same event three times in a row or more since Tiger Woods won the Buick Invitational (now Farmers Insurance Open) from 2005 to 2009.

Thomas is the overwhelming favorite to win again, but here are five under-the-radar guys who could dethrone Thomas once and for all.

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