American Justin Thomas believes he has all the weapons needed to become a prolific name in the golfing world and he hopes to prove this when defending his CIMB Classic title this week.

Thomas has been working his way through the professional ranks over the past couple of seasons and some consistent performances have helped him climb to world number 35.

The 23-year-old produced a stunning performance to clinch the CIMB Classic last season – his maiden PGA Tour victory – posting a tournament record score of 26-under-par.

America’s rising star finished tied third at the Players Championship and the Travelers this year before ending up in a share of sixth in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.

He was almost handed a captain’s pick for the 2016 Ryder Cup but Davis Love III decided to choose J.B. Holmes, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Ryan Moore instead.

Thomas now returns to Kuala Lumpur hoping to successfully defend his title and get the new campaign up and running, having finished tied eighth at the Safeway Open last time out. “I feel like I have a lot of years ahead of me and hopefully a lot of great years,” he said.

“I know what is meant to be is going to happen, but I feel like I have the firepower. “I have the game to do some pretty cool and special things out here.

I feel like I’ve been trending in the right direction.” Thomas, who is priced at 17.00 to win the tournament, faces a difficult challenge to lift the trophy again with a stellar field set to line-up.

England’s Paul Casey, American Patrick Reed, Australian Adam Scott and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama are the joint-favourites at 13.00 while Moore is a 15.00 chance.