Ryan wins CIMB Classic one Moore time (updated)

American golfer Ryan Moore with the CIMB Classic trophy which he retained after claiming a three-stroke victory at the KLGCC on Sunday. - EPA

KUALA LUMPUR: There’s a saying that the only thing harder than winning a title is to defend it.

But that’s not the case for Ryan Moore as he pulled off a stunning feat by becoming the first player – since the tournament’s inception in 2010 – to retain his crown at the US$7mi (RM22.9mil) CIMB Classic.

The 31-year-old Moore carded a final round five-under 67 to finish on 17-under 271, three strokes ahead of last year’s runners-up Gary Woodland (67), world No. 4 Sergio Garcia (69) and Kevin Na.

“It was incredible to finish the way I did,” said the jubilant Moore, who pocketed US$1.26mil (RM4.14mil).

“Coming down to the last few holes, I tell myself all the time that I’m closer.

“That’s what I play golf for. These are the moments and what I’m out here for, so let’s do what we can.

“Let’s just hit good shots, and let’s see if we can close this thing, and I was able to do that.”

Overnight co-leader Na, birdied three of the first four holes to take a two-stroke lead before the American suffered a late meltdown to finish with a disappointing 70.

Moore’s win, his first for the year, also meant he became the first player to defend a PGA Tour title since Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2012 and 2013.

However, it didn’t come without some anxious moments for the American before notching his fourth PGA Tour title.

Moore had eight birdies against three bogeys in the final round and produced superb approach shots at the 14th and 17th holes for birdies to edge closer to the title.

It was at the 17th hole that Na’s title assault ended when he registered a double-bogey, causing him to be four strokes off the pace.

Na’s tee shot landed onto a tree and he was penalised a stroke. He bounced back with a birdie on the 18th to share a three-way tie with Spain’s Garcia and Woodland of the US.

But the damage was already done in the previous hole when the Korea-born American failed to sink a short birdie putt.

“It’s my fault hitting a bad putt and it’s hard to recover from that late in the day,” Na lamented.

“I never got it together before I hit the next shot and you saw what happened. It’s disappointing when you know you had the lead and it’s yours, but Ryan did step it up in the end.”

Besides the two CIMB Classic titles, Moore also won at the Wyndham Championship in 2009 and Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2012.

The victory also pushed him up to fourth in the FedExCup standings with 500 points.

South Korea’s Bae Sang-moon (69) finished as the best Asian player after tying for fifth with 21-year-old Asian Tour rookie Cameron Smith (68) of Australia.

Last season’s FedExCup winner, Billy Horschel, finished on four-under in joint 37th.