Golfer Ryan Moore claims CIMB Classic

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 28 (IANS) American Ryan Moore defeated fellow countryman Gary Woodland with a magical birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the CIMB Classic Monday.

The 30-year-old Moore hit an exquisite eight iron approach shot to within three feet of the par five 18th hole at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s west course to claim his third PGA Tour title in the $7 million event sanctioned with the Asian Tour.

Woodland, who had missed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole Sunday evening for the victory, missed the green in regulation and then left his fourth shot short of the hole to settle for the runner-up place.

“Playing a play-off with someone like Gary, I know I don’t want it to last very long. I had a great opportunity there on 18 with my third shot and it was just an absolute perfect number. It was 158 yards, a little bit back up the hill, so for me that was just a perfect slightly choked down full eight iron,” said Moore, who won a cheque of $1.26 million.

The Las Vegas-based Moore added he was pumped up for the play-off after making a crucial par save on the 72nd hole in near-darkness Sunday after a wonderful approach shot as well.