Ryan Moore at the Barclays in August this year. - AFP
PETALING JAYA: American Ryan Moore is looking forward to defending his US$7mil (RM22.4mil) CIMB Classic title at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) later this month.
Moore defeated compatriot Gary Woodland on the first playoff hole last year to take home the RM4mil pay-cheque.
The 31-year-old Moore, who now sports a beard, said the CIMB Classic would always have a special place in his heart.
“You know, I’m excited to come back as a defending champion. I think it’s something special at any event. It was my third PGA Tour victory and I’ve been out here for 10 years, so it doesn’t happen all the time. It’s definitely always a special week.
“It’s fun to just go to a new place and play new events, and this one has only been around for a few years now. But I think it’s getting better and better every single year,” said Moore, who will be looking to kick into high gear at the KLGCC after taking a few weeks’ break from the game.
Moore will start his 2014-2015 season by playing in the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas this week.
“I feel great about my game. I’ve actually had a few weeks off. I’ve had some rest after the end of the FedExCup going into these next few weeks ... I’ve had some great practice in and I feel really ready to go.
“I’m starting this week at the Shriners Hospital tournament, which is in Las Vegas – where I live,” he said in a teleconference from the United States on Wednesday.
Moore is relishing the chance to take on Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia of Spain and England’s Lee Westwood as well as the PGA Tour cast in the field this year.
“It’s so valuable to get off to a great start like I did last year and have that win early ... it allowed me to really set up my entire year after that and be able to really pick the tournaments I wanted to play in. It really just helped me set my schedule for the year,” said Moore.
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