Sunday 2 November 2014 10:04, UK
Ryan Moore successfully defended his CIMB Classic title in Kuala Lumpur as he finished with a final round 67 to claim a three-shot victory.
Moore finished on 17-under having started the day tied for the lead with fellow American Kevin Na at the co-sanctioned PGA and Asian Tour event at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Moore grabbed eight birdies against three bogeys to sign for a five-under round of 67 which was enough to see off the challenge of Na who faltered down the back nine.
It was close down the stretch as Na held a one-shot lead over his playing partner after Moore bogeyed the 12th, but Na then instantly dropped a shot on the 13th.
As Moore picked up shots on 14, 15 and 17, Na double-bogeyed the 17th which cost him his chances of lifting the title, while Gary Woodland was in amongst it as three back-nine birdied put him on 15-under, but a bogey on the last saw his challenge drop away as Moore held his nerve down the stretch.
After a bogey on 16 the birdie on 17 was the key as he enjoyed his walk down the 18th safe in the knowledge he would be achieving the rare feat of retaining a title on the PGA Tour.
"It's been a great week," said Moore. "I'm a little bit lost for words right now.
"To come back and defend like this, that's something I have never done so it makes it that much more special. To do it the way I did, hitting some great shots coming down the stretch and making some birdies when I needed to, is great.
"Last year was a lot more stressful. I had to get up and down from 65 yards just to get into a play-off. I got to enjoy this more, although I was still making it a little bit too interesting."
Na had to settle for a share of second place, thanks to a birdie on the last giving him a two-under round of 70 to put him alongside Woodland and Sergio Garcia.
Spaniard Garcia started the day a shot behind the lead and three front nine birdies kept him right in touch, but a double-bogey seven on the 10th hole put a huge dent to his challenge.
Garcia did pick up two more birdies to finish with a three-under 69 but it was another case of what might have been had it not been for that damaging seven.
