Sergio Garcia 10\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nGarcia makes his first start since the Ryder Cup and arrives as the biggest name in the field \u2013 ranked #4 in the World Golf Rankings. He finished T11 in this event last year and enters in far better form this year \u2013 making him an instant threat.<\/p>\n
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Keep in mind that Garcia ended last season with consecutive top 10s \u2013 at the BMW Championship (T-4) and Tour Championship (T-9).<\/p>\n
Hideki Matsuyama 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nHas been the best player so far this young season – a T-3 finish at the Frys.com Open was followed with a T-10 result in Vegas. He is emerging as one of the better ball strikers around \u2013 perfect for this track and he did have a T25 here last year. Matsuyama may be unlucky not to have a win already \u2013 expect him to contend on his home continent this week.<\/p>\n
Lee Westwood 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nIn a tournament in which ball striking is crucial, Westy has to be in the conversation. He actually won a tournament here already \u2013 the Maybank Malaysian Open just six months ago and he already posted a T12 this young season \u2013 at Silverado. Course history is clearly on his side in this one!<\/p>\n
CIMB Classic Contenders:<\/h3>\n
Gary Woodland 16\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nWill tee it up for the first time since a T9 at the TOUR Championship in a tournament he lost in a playoff last year. Although he is known as a long hitter, something about this track fits his eye. He ranked second in par-4 scoring and T2 in par-5 scoring here last year \u2013 it kickstarted a good season.<\/p>\n
Patrick Reed 20\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nWas terrific in the Ryder Cup going 3-0-1 and then made it to the quarters of the World Match Play. It\u2019s safe to say that his game is on track for his season debut. He was T40 here last year but enters with a ton of confidence this year.<\/p>\n
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Cockiness has its privileges and against a slightly watered down field, it may pay off!<\/p>\n
Graham DeLaet 25\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nBecame one of the best ball strikers on TOUR last year but was not rewarded with a win. He was T7 here last year and got it done by ranking T16 in GIR and T9 in putting. If anyone is due, it\u2019s DeLaet.<\/p>\n
Brendon De Jonge 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nDe Jonge has quietly had a very good start to the season \u2013 he lost in a three-man playoff at Sea Island last week and he has made the cut in all three starts the young season, never shooting over 70. He is terrific tee-to-green and like DeLaet is well overdue for his first PGA win.<\/p>\n
CIMB Classic Sleepers (50\/1 or higher):<\/h3>\n
Anirban Lahiri 50\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nIs coming off a win last week in Macau \u2013 no surprise to those who follow the Asian Tour. He was terrific last year at home and finished inside the top 15 in five of seven international starts. Momentum and a familiarity with the Asian tracks has Lahiri on the radar this week.<\/p>\n
David Lingmerth 66\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nWas a standout on the Web.com Tour and has been good again at the start of this year. He finished T14 at the McGladrey thanks to a scintillating 66 in the final round.<\/p>\n
CIMB Classic Free Pick:<\/h3>\n
It was pretty hard to stay away from Sergio this week but I resisted temptation and am going with Patrick Reed at 20\/<\/strong>1 \u2013 his game has been spot on and this track should suit his game.<\/p>\nMy sleeper is arguably the best Asian hope in the field – Anirban Lahiri at 50\/1<\/strong>. He won last week and I like him to carry the momentum into this week.<\/p>\n