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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Justin Thomas had an eagle and nine birdies in shooting a course-record 61 at the CIMB Classic on Friday, taking the lead into the weekend at the PGA Tour's event in Malaysia.
Thomas moved to 15-under 129 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club for a one-stroke lead on American compatriot Brendan Steele, who shot a 63 and matched Thomas by having an eagle at the par-5 third hole.
First-round leader Scott Piercy had two bogeys on the front nine to shoot a 69 and was in a share of third place, two shots off the leader, along with Spencer Levin, who had a round of 64, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who shot 66.
Former No.1 Adam Scott was at 10 under, and two-time defending champion Ryan Moore at 8 under.
For Thomas, a 22-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, this is the third time he has led at the halfway point of a tour event, but is still seeking his first victory.
His superb round, which included six birdies in a seven-hole stretch from No.9 to 15, disguised his physical struggles as he coped with jetlag and the oppressive tropical heat.
"Thank God for the air-conditioning," he joked as he walked into his post-round media conference. "I never have been to this part of the world before and my body is still adjusting. Today was a little better. I even slept in, until 5.30 a.m."
The extra sleep paid off as he briefly threatened the magical score of 59, requiring birdies from two of the last three holes, but he could not get it done.
Nick Watney also shot a 61 in this tournament in 2012 but that was at a different course with a par of 71.
LPGA Tour
Hainan Island, China • South Korea's Sei Young Kim took advantage of Chinese teen Lin Xi-yu's wind-blown collapse to take the lead in the Blue Bay LPGA. Kim made a 3-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for an even-par 72 in difficult conditions along the South China Sea at Jian Lake Blue Bay.
The 19-year-old Lin bogeyed eight of the last 13 holes for a 77 that left her two strokes behind.
Champions Tour
Newport Beach, Calif. • Former UCLA players Scott McCarron and Steve Pate shared the lead at 8-under 63 after the first round of the Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic. —
Leaderboard
CIMB Classic
At Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Purse • $7 million
Yardage • 6,985 Par • 72
Third round
Justin Thomas 68-61—129 -15
Brendan Steele 67-63—130 -14
Spencer Levin 67-64—131 -13
Hideki Matsuyama 65-66—131 -13
Scott Piercy 62-69—131 -13
Stewart Cink 68-64—132 -12
Brian Harman 70-63—133 -11
Kevin Na 67-66—133 -11
Troy Merritt 68-66—134 -10
Jason Gore 66-68—134 -10
Adam Scott 68-66—134 -10
James Hahn 70-65—135 -9
Morgan Hoffmann 67-68—135 -9
David Hearn 70-65—135 -9
Kyle Reifers 70-66—136 -8
Ryan Moore 67-69—136 -8
Keegan Bradley 66-70—136 -8
Jim Herman 70-66—136 -8
Kevin Kisner 71-65—136 -8
Patrick Reed 68-68—136 -8
Scott Hend 67-70—137 -7
Branden Grace 67-70—137 -7
Daniel Summerhays 71-66—137 -7
Paul Peterson 70-67—137 -7
Alex Cejka 66-71—137 -7
Sergio Garcia 70-67—137 -7
Anirban Lahiri 70-67—137 -7
Cameron Tringale 70-68—138 -6
Robert Streb 69-69—138 -6
Paul Casey 69-69—138 -6
Henrik Stenson 71-67—138 -6
Kevin Chappell 69-69—138 -6
Tony Finau 71-67—138 -6
Matt Jones 67-71—138 -6
Rory Sabbatini 69-69—138 -6
David Lingmerth 73-65—138 -6
Cameron Smith 66-72—138 -6
Charles Howell III 66-72—138 -6
Ryo Ishikawa 69-69—138 -6
Chad Campbell 68-70—138 -6
Brendon De Jonge 69-69—138 -6
Jon Curran 69-70—139 -5
Russell Knox 70-69—139 -5
Hudson Swafford 70-69—139 -5
Padraig Harrington 68-72—140 -4
Nick Watney 70-70—140 -4
Ben Martin 70-70—140 -4
Colt Knost 70-70—140 -4
John Senden 70-70—140 -4
Scott Brown 68-72—140 -4
Pat Perez 71-69—140 -4
Ben Crane 71-70—141 -3
Danny Lee 73-68—141 -3
Marc Leishman 71-70—141 -3
Zac Blair 70-71—141 -3
Ernie Els 72-69—141 -3
Andrew Dodt 72-70—142 -2
Danny Chia 71-71—142 -2
Harris English 71-71—142 -2
Scott Pinckney 69-73—142 -2
Greg Owen 70-72—142 -2
Chesson Hadley 71-71—142 -2
Daniel Berger 76-66—142 -2
Gary Woodland 75-68—143 -1
Ben Leong 71-72—143 -1
Matt Every 72-72—144 E
Jason Dufner 69-75—144 E
Nick Taylor 74-70—144 E
Jerry Kelly 73-72—145 +1
Carlos Ortiz 71-74—145 +1
Steven Bowditch 73-73—146 +2
SSP Chawrasia 72-74—146 +2
Mardan Mamat 74-73—147 +3
Luke Donald 74-73—147 +3
Richard T. Lee 71-77—148 +4
Prayad Marksaeng 72-76—148 +4
Arie Ahmad Irawan 75-74—149 +5
John Peterson 80-74—154 +10