‘Unconscious’ Justin Thomas fires course-record 61 at CIMB Classic

Justin Thomas was in that zone on Friday that athletes refer to when they’re so on fire they practically sleepwalk through their incredible play.

“It was just one of those days when you kind of get unconscious and get rolling out there,” Thomas told reporters after a second-round 11-under 61 gave him the lead at the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur. “They don’t happen too often. I hit the ball really well. I didn’t really make too many mistakes. I had a lot of birdie putts that really weren’t very stressful ... Being able to hit it solid like that just kind of takes, by the end of the day you’re not as worn out. And it makes it a lot easier.”

One might believe that flirting with a 59 and carding nine birdies and an eagle on his way to a course record would put Thomas out of reach of his fellow competitors. Yet the PGA Tour sophomore will enter the weekend just one shot clear of a surging Brendan Steele, who put up his own flawless 63 on a Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club track where low numbers were the order of the day.

There was Brian Harman’s 9-under, Spencer Levin and Stewart Cink posted 8-under each and a bunch of players signed for 7- and 6-under.

Sergio Garcia was not one of them, but his shot of the day resulted in an eagle and helped him score a 67 to get into a seven-way tie for 21st at 7-under -- eight shots back of the frontrunner.

For Thomas, who started his round six shots off Scott Piercy’s pace, acknowledged that 59 was on his mind after his fourth birdie in a row on the 12th hole. Two more on 14 and 15 seemed to put the magic score in reach but three finishing pars put an end to the musing.

“It was obviously unfortunate not to get that number,” he said, “But I’m sure I’ll have many more chances in my career.”

Thomas, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur fresh off a T3 at the tour’s season-opening Frys.com Open, would nab a spot at the Masters with a win this week. In the meantime, he’ll try to live up to his personal slogan: “No excuses, play like a champion.”

“It’s from the movie Wedding Crashers, actually,” he explained. “I don’t know. I just, it’s a funny movie, but I think it’s a pretty good motto.”