Pat Perez claimed his third PGA Tour win overnight at the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lampur, his first win since coming back from a season-ending shoulder surgery last year. A torn labrum in his left shoulder required surgery in March of 2016, but since returning from the injury, Perez put together a career year in 2016-2017.
In only his third start after seven months off, Perez won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba and went on to chalk up five other top-10 finishes en route to a trip to the Tour Championship and a 12th place FedEx Cup finish.
Picture perfect for Pat Perez. ???? pic.twitter.com/RMDs7wEze4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 15, 2017
Playing in his first event of the wraparound season, Perez scorched TPC Kuala Lumpur with rounds of 66-65-64 to open up a four-shot lead heading into Sunday at in Malaysia.
The Associated Press had the details from the final round.
American Pat Perez won the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic, claiming a four-shot victory over compatriot Keegan Bradley on Sunday at TPC Kuala Lumpur.
He sealed his first title in almost a year despite carding a modest three-under 69 in the final round, courtesy of a strong start with three birdies in the first four holes.
The 41-year-old only managed to make par on the back nine, but did enough to finish the tournament with a 24-under 264 to take home the $1.26 million prize purse and 500 FedEX Cup points.
Victory also earned him an automatic entry for next year’s Masters in April.
Perez’s feat comes after a long recovery from a shoulder injury last year that threatened to derail his career.
The bulky golfer admitted he never expected to reign supreme in the sweltering conditions in Kuala Lumpur.
“Unreal. I think I’m the last guy that expected to win this week, to be honest with you. I did not think I was going to win this week,” Perez said. “I really can’t explain it, it’s been an amazing 12 months. I can’t explain it, but I hope it continues.”
Perez also confirmed he’ll be back to defend his title next year.
“I’ll be here every year. Every year of the tournament, I’ll be here. It’s been very good to me. The tournament’s been fantastic,” he said.
Perez will be in action next week at the inaugural CJ Cup along with the likes of Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Daniel Berger, Ernie Els, Marc Leishman and Ian Poulter.
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