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2018 CIMB Classic Odds: Justin Thomas Looking for 3rd Win in 4 Years

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Apr 10, 2020 · 6:40 PM PDT

Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas has nine PGA Tour wins since turning pro in 2013. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire)
  • Justin Thomas is the heavy favorite to win the CIMB Classic for the third time
  • Can Pat Perez become the third straight golfer to win two CIMB titles in a row?
  • The golfers with the best value to emerge victorious

The second event on the PGA Tour calendar heads to Kuala Lumpur for the CIMB Classic, a limited 78-man, no cut field.

This tournament is unique in that the first five years it has been an official PGA Tour stop, it has been a breeding ground for back-to-back champs, with Pat Perez looking to make that a trifecta.

Odds to Win 2018 CIMB Classic

Player Odds to win 2018 CIMB Classic
Justin Thomas +500
Ryan Moore +1600
Billy Horschel +1600
Xander Schauffele +1600
Gary Woodland +2000
Paul Casey +2200
Keegan Bradley +2500
Marc Leishman +2800
Cameron Smith +2800
Brandt Snedeker +3300

Follow the link in the table to see all options

Can Justin Thomas be stopped?

Justin Thomas is the heavy favorite and rightfully so, as he’s in search of winning this tournament for the third time in the last four years (2015, 2016).

There is nothing about his recent play to suggest he shouldn’t have an excellent chance at emerging victorious, with nothing worse than a T-24 on his resume in his last six events, including a victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

He’s comfortable on this course and was one of the few Americans to show up at the Ryder Cup. As much as the value isn’t there to bet on Thomas, it would be foolish to not at least strongly consider him.

Previous 5 CIMB Classic Champions

Year Winner
2017 Pat Perez
2016 Justin Thomas
2015 Justin Thomas
2014 Ryan Moore
2013 Ryan Moore

Don’t Bank on a Perez Repeat

His value at +8000 is extremely enticing but do not get snookered into wagering on him to follow in Ryan Moore and Justin Thomas’ footsteps.

Perez has been awful for the better part of a year, with only one top ten finish since January at the Zurich Classic, a two-man team event. Don’t even consider Perez to repeat.

Pat Perez’s Last Five Tournaments

Tournament Result
BMW Championship T-55
Dell Technologies Championship W/D
The Northern Trust T-40
PGA Championship T-35
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational T-63

CIMB Classic Best Value Picks

  1. Kyle Stanley (+4000): Two second place finishes last season with two top-15 finishes in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
  2. Thomas Pieters (+6600): While he hasn’t been the sharpest of late in Europe, he’s too talented in a condensed field to ignore at these odds. Tied for sixth in last PGA Tour event at the PGA Championship.
  3. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (+8000): Only played this event at this course once, but that was a tie for third in 2013. Four-time winner on European Tour including once this year.
  4. Ollie Schniederjans (+17500): Eight top-ten finishes in last two PGA Tour seasons. The former #1 ranked amateur in the world has juicy odds and looks to follow in fellow American Justin Thomas’ footsteps and make the CIMB Classic his first PGA Tour title.
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