The Punter's In-Play Blog: Patience needed at the CIMB Classic

Both this week's tournaments are off and running so our man's kicking off the blog but he's in no rush to get involved just yet. Read Steve's very early thoughts on this week's golf here...

11:50 - October 11, 2017

I know they've only had one round of the CIMB Classic, but I thought I might be making a move in-play by now. As highlighted in the In-Play Tactics section of the preview, a fast start is usually essential but after much deliberation, I've decided to hang fire for another day. Here's the first round leaderboard with prices to back at 11:40.

Bronson Burgoon -9 21.00
Austin Cook -8 18.50
Billy Horschel -7 9.40
C.T Pan -7 15.50
Scot Piercy -7 40.00
Justin Thomas -6 4.60
Paul Casey -6 15.00
Byeong Hun-An -6 23.00
Louis Oosthuizen -6 24.00
Emiliano Grillo -6 28.00
Kevin Chappell -6 46.00
Nick Watney -6 65.00
Joel Dahmen -6 100.00
-5 and 50.00 bar

Bronson Burgoon was one-over-par after four holes of his opening round today but he certainly got motoring after that, playing his last 14 in ten-under. There was a bit of talk about the course playing a bit tougher with the new Bermuda surfaces but his nine-under-par 63 equalled Ryan Moore's lowest opening tournament round here in 2013 so we look set for yet another ridiculously low winning score. The last three winners have reached 26, 23 and 24 under-par!

Burgoon is yet to win on either the PGA Tour or the Web.com Tour so I was happy to overlook him and scan further down but I haven't been able to find a bet.

Austin Cook, who last year won the RSM Classic in fine style, has started well on his first visit to Kuala Lumpur and I'm delighted to see my huge outsider, Scott Piercy, has begun the tournament well also. I'm not as happy to see that C.T Pan has kicked the event off nicely though as I came very close to backing him. Billy Horschel has picked up from where he left off last season and the huge presence is two-time tournament winner and world number four, Justin Thomas. With so many quality players starting so well and with 13 players within three of the lead, I've decided to let it roll for now and have another look tomorrow.

Over at the British Masters, there are a trio of Matts off to a good start. Matt Wallace, one of my pre-event picks, has hit the front, despite two three-putt bogeys, and he's tied with Paul Krishnamurty's each-way fancy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Dave Tindall's pick, Matt Southgate, is among those tied for third on -3. It's live on Sky Sports until 17:30 and the classic course, Walton Heath, is a joy.

British Masters Pre-Event Selections:
Shane Lowry @ 38.00
Matt Wallace @ 44.00
Tom Lewis @ 65.00
Andrea Pavan @ 70.00
Soren Kjeldsen @ 90.00
Tapio Pulkkanen @ 310.00

CIMB Classic Pre-Event Selections:
Si Woo Kim @ 90.00
Scott Piercy @ 160.00