Fantasy Golf Predictions – The 2013 CIMB Classic

Fantasy Golf Predictions for the 2013 CIMB Classic, October 24 – 27, 2013

Tournament Preview:   Mickelson, Keegan, Haas, and Sergio Garcia are amongst some of the notable names that will compete in this year’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia.   Last year’s winner, Nick Watney, will also be defending his title but this year, it’s on a new course.  Rain threatens all week with shattered storms from Thursday through Sunday.  Although the weather will be warm, the players will be burdened with the wet elements and a whopper 634-yard finishing hole.

The Course: Kuala Lumpur G&CC (West Course) measures 6,951 yards and plays as a par 72. The track is located in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur and is one of Malaysia’s most popular golf courses. Originally designed in 1991, this course underwent a major facelift not to long ago and has played home to some of the biggest tournaments in the world.   The newly constructed West Course reopened in 2008 and some say it’s now tougher, with close to 7,000 yards to conquer with undulating grounds and a new lake added to the 9^th hole.  In total water will come into play on at least 13 holes.

Photo by KLGCC.com

The Weather at 2013 CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (from weather.com)

• Round 1: Thursday (Oct 24) 87 degrees, 60% chance of rain, scattered T-Storms.
• Round 2: Friday (Oct 25) 88 degrees, 60% chance of rain, scattered T-Storms.
• Round 3: Saturday (Oct 26) 87 degrees, 60% chance of rain, scattered T-Storms.
• Round 4: Sunday (Oct 27) 87 degrees, 60% chance of rain, scattered T-Storms.

2012 Results: Nick Watney flirted with a historic 59, but his eventual 10-under 61still set a tournament record and was enough to win by a four shots on the final day. The young pro came to the 18^th hole needing a birdie for the magic number, but ultimately drove into the left rough and missed the green with his second shot to finish with a bogey (but we’re sure he didn’t mind the result).  With that, Watney finished a 22-under 262 total score which was one stroke ahead of Robert Garrigus and defending champ Bo Van Pelt.

Many may also remember that Watney asked his wife Amber to caddie the first round’s final holes when his regular caddie Chad Reynolds fell ill with dehydration in the hot Malaysian climate.   

This year it will be a new track for Watney as Kuala Lumpur is a course he’s never seen before in competitive play, but we still like his odds as his three Top-15s during the 2013 FedExCup playoffs still sit fresh in our minds.

Notes: This year’s CIMB Classic contains a bigger field then previous years and will offer players a bigger prize purse and full sanction on the FedExCup schedule.  As mentioned, Watney seeks his first victory since last year’s visit, but he finished the FedExCup Playoffs strong and even finished runner-up to Zach Johnson at the BMW Championship.   We also like Mickelson and Matsuyama this week — as we feel both can make a strong push to win this event (at least notch a top-10).   You also should not rule out President’s Cup team member Bill Haas who had 9 Top 10s during the 2012-2013 season.

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win the 2013 CIMB Classic:

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• Sergio Garcia (Golficity Odds 9/1): This will be Garcia’s first start since sharing 9^th place at the TOUR Championship at East Lake.  The Spanish veteran had 23 top 25s in his last 29 starts worldwide.   He likes playing overseas and we love his chances if he comes out the gate swinging.
• Phil Mickelson (Golficity Odds 12/1): What a season Phil had in 2013, making him an easy consideration for MVP under Tiger Woods.  Mickelson always played well when visiting Asia and his last two victories were won overseas (Scotland).  Lefty is currently ranked No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking.  Keep an eye on Phil to make some noise at Kuala Lumpur.
• Keegan Bradley (Golficity Odds 18/1): Keegan went 2-2-1 at the 2013 President’s Cup but was also winless during the 2013 season. Without the trophies, he still was able to put up an impressive season with a career high 7 top 10s and 15 top 25s.   Bradley’s worst finish in a no-cut event in 2013 was his T16 finish at the BMW Championship.
• Nick Watney (Golficity Odds 22/1): As we mentioned above, this is a new course for the defending champ.  Although he put up a T48 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, you can’t ignore his 3 top 15s during the FedExCup Playoffs.  He’s got skill – and could easily take this one again.
• Bill Haas (Golficity Odds 28/1): Like Keegan, Haas put up a 2-2-1 record at The President’s Cup, but he played great golf all week.  With such a great season in 2013, Haas co-led the PGA TOUR with (a career-high) 9 top 10s and ranked 18th in adjusted scoring.  Haas has the ability to sneak a win in there every now and then.  If his swing is in tune, he could run away with it.

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win:

• Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 35/1): While he started out poorly at TPC Summerlin, Walker recovered to a T12 following his breakthrough victory at the Frys.com Open.  We love the fact that Walker’s worst result in his last 3 starts is a T12.  Sleeper pick, but could surprise us all with high finish.
• Hideki Matsuyama (Golficity Odds 45/1): Illness forced Matsuyama to withdraw before his opening round of the Shriners last week, but he still cannot be overlooked. Hideki notched 11 top 10s in 17 starts worldwide as a professional and the extra rest last week could help him make a run to the top of the leaderboard.

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(Cover Photo Credit)