Golf: Justin Thomas repeats at PGA tournament in Malaysia

Justin Thomas successfully defended his CIMB Classic title, closing with an 8-under 65 for a three-stroke victory over Hideki Matsuyama in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A year after setting the tournament record of 26-under 262, the 23-year-old American finished at 23 under at TPC Kuala Lumpur for his second PGA Tour title.

Thomas birdied the final five holes Saturday in a third-round 71, then birdied four of the first five in his bogey-free final

Matsuyama, from Japan, closed with a 66.

India’s Anirban Lahiri, the third-round leader, had a quadruple bogey on the third hole and finished with a 72 to tie for third with American Derek Fathauer (67) at 19 under.

LPGA

Minjee Lee got up-and-down one last time at Jian Lake to win the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan, China, for her second victory of the year and third in 17 months.

The 20-year-old Australian chipped to 3 feet from the front runoff area on the par-5 18th to match Jessica Korda’s birdie and beat the American by a stroke. Lee’s chip left Korda with an 18-footer for eagle from off the back edge that she missed to the left.

Ariya Jutanugarn tied Lee with a two-stroke swing on the par-3 17th, then hooked her 3-wood drive into the water on 18 to end her chances for a tour-high sixth victory.

Lee rebounded after losing a six-stroke lead Saturday, closing with a 2-under 70 in hot and humid conditions to finish at 13-under 275. Korda had a 71. Jutanugarn shot 70, her closing bogey leaving her two strokes back.

European Tour

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington got up-and-down for par on the final hole to win the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura for his first European Tour victory in eight years.

The 45-year-old Harrington pitched from the rough and holed a 4-foot putt for a 6-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over defending champion Andy Sullivan of England.

Harrington finished at 23-under 261 at Victoria. The three-time major champion has 15 European Tour titles. Sullivan also closed with a 65.