Power Rankings: Fantasy golf advice for the CIMB Classic

FANTASY

Power Rankings: CIMB Classic
- October 08, 2018
  By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Follow @RobBoltonGolf
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Now that the freshest crop of Web.com Tour graduates has broken the seal on the 2018-19 season, it's time for the most successful of returning PGA TOUR members to begin capitalizing on opportunities procured.

Beginning with this week's CIMB Classic in Malaysia and extending into next week's second annual THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea, the top 60 available in the FedExCup standings from last season are exempt. While sponsor exemptions and members of the Asian Tour and KPGA will populate fields of 78 for each event, the FedExCuppers will serve as the majority of both.

Scroll beneath the ranking for details on the comprehensive renovation that TPC Kuala Lumpur underwent since last year's CIMB Classic, what it's taken to contend on the course in its five-year history as host and more.

RANK

PLAYER

COMMENT

15		Kevin Tway	Based on how he surged this year, his breakthrough title at Silverado arrived on cue. No letdown expected. Ranked T17 in par-5 scoring in 2017-18 and T3 in the same here in debut a year ago.
Based on how he surged this year, his breakthrough title at Silverado arrived on cue. No letdown expected. Ranked T17 in par-5 scoring in 2017-18 and T3 in the same here in debut a year ago.

14		Stewart Cink	Closed out last season with three top-five finishes in last eight starts. Statistically, there were whiffs of vintage form throughout. Chasing a fourth top-20 at TPC Kuala Lumpur.
Closed out last season with three top-five finishes in last eight starts. Statistically, there were whiffs of vintage form throughout. Chasing a fourth top-20 at TPC Kuala Lumpur.

13		Kyle Stanley	Was exposed in final rounds last season, finishing 180th in Round 4 scoring, yet he still advanced to East Lake without a victory. So, his average skill set right now gained strokes on every field.
Was exposed in final rounds last season, finishing 180th in Round 4 scoring, yet he still advanced to East Lake without a victory. So, his average skill set right now gained strokes on every field.

12		Danny Lee	Connected often enough in last four months of last season to indicate that he's close and confident. The combination bloomed again for a T10 at Silverado. Two top 15s in Malaysia; T7 last year.
Connected often enough in last four months of last season to indicate that he's close and confident. The combination bloomed again for a T10 at Silverado. Two top 15s in Malaysia; T7 last year.

11		Marc Leishman	If he tuckered out in the back half of 2017-18, perhaps the renewal of 2018-19 generates an uplifting perspective. Solo fifth in his last trip to Kuala Lumpur; 68.70 in his last 10 rounds.
If he tuckered out in the back half of 2017-18, perhaps the renewal of 2018-19 generates an uplifting perspective. Solo fifth in his last trip to Kuala Lumpur; 68.70 in his last 10 rounds.

10		Keegan Bradley	With emotion of the BMW victory that ended his drought a month old, he can refocus on piling on a fantastic record at TPC Kuala Lumpur where he has three top 10s. Runner-up last year.
With emotion of the BMW victory that ended his drought a month old, he can refocus on piling on a fantastic record at TPC Kuala Lumpur where he has three top 10s. Runner-up last year.

9		Gary Woodland	The two-time runner-up (2014, 2015) hasn't missed a start at TPC Kuala Lumpur where his scoring average is 69.80 in 20 rounds. Arrives rested and coming off an end-weighted Playoffs.
The two-time runner-up (2014, 2015) hasn't missed a start at TPC Kuala Lumpur where his scoring average is 69.80 in 20 rounds. Arrives rested and coming off an end-weighted Playoffs.

8		Paul Casey	Shook off a sore back at Aronimink for a T11 at East Lake and contributed 1.5 points to victorious Ryder Cup squad. Progressively better results in four starts at TPC Kuala Lumpur; T7 last year.
Shook off a sore back at Aronimink for a T11 at East Lake and contributed 1.5 points to victorious Ryder Cup squad. Progressively better results in four starts at TPC Kuala Lumpur; T7 last year.

7		Rafa Cabrera Bello	Checks all of the boxes to warrant elevated expectations. Strong tee to green, great putter and scorer. T10s in both prior appearances with a scoring average of 68.75.
Checks all of the boxes to warrant elevated expectations. Strong tee to green, great putter and scorer. T10s in both prior appearances with a scoring average of 68.75.

6		Billy Horschel	If not for a sinus infection during the Dell Technologies Championship, oh, what could have been in the Playoffs where he placed T3, T3 and second in the other three stops, respectively.
If not for a sinus infection during the Dell Technologies Championship, oh, what could have been in the Playoffs where he placed T3, T3 and second in the other three stops, respectively.

5		Cameron Smith	Beginning his fourth season after a terrific 2017-18 during which he finished third thrice. In three trips to TPC Kuala Lumpur, he's posted two T5s and averaged 68.92 in the 12 rounds.
Beginning his fourth season after a terrific 2017-18 during which he finished third thrice. In three trips to TPC Kuala Lumpur, he's posted two T5s and averaged 68.92 in the 12 rounds.

4		Xander Schauffele	Quietly concluded the Playoffs with a T3 at Aronimink and a T7 in his title defense at East Lake. Now gets another crack at TPC Kuala Lumpur where he placed T3 in his debut last year.
Quietly concluded the Playoffs with a T3 at Aronimink and a T7 in his title defense at East Lake. Now gets another crack at TPC Kuala Lumpur where he placed T3 in his debut last year.

3		Brandt Snedeker	After squandering the lead and ultimately the win at Silverado, getting right back out there is the best medicine. Four top 10s in last eight starts with a victory and a 59 at Sedgefield.
After squandering the lead and ultimately the win at Silverado, getting right back out there is the best medicine. Four top 10s in last eight starts with a victory and a 59 at Sedgefield.

2		Ryan Moore	Did everything he could to make Kevin Tway work for his first PGA TOUR title at Silverado. Eight top 15s in 2018 alone for Moore. Chased his CIMB victories with a T10 (2015) and a T17 (2016).
Did everything he could to make Kevin Tway work for his first PGA TOUR title at Silverado. Eight top 15s in 2018 alone for Moore. Chased his CIMB victories with a T10 (2015) and a T17 (2016).

1		Justin Thomas	Arrived fatigued in pursuit of a third straight title at TPC Kuala Lumpur last year what with FedExCup and Presidents Cup victories in tow. Stress is diminished now. Average here = 67.00.
Arrived fatigued in pursuit of a third straight title at TPC Kuala Lumpur last year what with FedExCup and Presidents Cup victories in tow. Stress is diminished now. Average here = 67.00.

Tuesday's Insider will include defending champion Pat Perez, Louis Oosthuizen, Kevin Na and Kiradech Aphibarnrat among other notables.

Because the first two events of the three-week Asian Swing are limited-field invitationals, Web.com Tour grads have known that they'd have this time off before the Sanderson Farms Championship on Oct. 25-28. For the busiest of the grads, this is their first break of this length since early April.

For those qualified and committed to either of the next three tournaments (including the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China the same week as the Sanderson Farms Championship), the transpacific trip guarantees FedExCup points and earnings as there are no cuts.

TPC Kuala Lumpur presents the first test. It's a stock par 72 tipping at just 7,005 yards. Although last year's scoring average of 70.663 registered a three-year high, it's been one of the most gettable tracks of the season. However, how it scores this week remains to be seen.

All paspalum grass has been replaced with bermudagrass. The combination of Celebration tees and fairways with TifEagle greens replicates the agronomy at TPC Sawgrass, for example. Hot and humid conditions with the omnipresent threat of rain and storms will cap Stimpmeter readings at 12 feet, while TOUR-average targets may repel approaches until mature. Still, with rough no longer than two-and-a-half inches and perennially soft conditions, low scores are projected in these climes.

Pat Perez aims to become the third consecutive two-time defending champion of the CIMB Classic. Ryan Moore (2013-14) and Justin Thomas (2015-16) preceded. Perez co-led his field in greens in regulation en route to 23-under 265, but he ranked outside the top 10 in both putts per GIR and birdies-or-better with the putter. With new putting surfaces, the premium of creating scoring opportunities rises.

ShotLink technology will not be utilized in any of the three events in Asia.

ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE

PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.

MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings

TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider

WEDNESDAY: One & Done, Twitter live fantasy show

THURSDAY: Champions One & Done

* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.

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