Hye-Jin Choi Takes Five-Stroke Lead at Maybank Championship

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Hye-Jin Choi seized a commanding five-stroke lead at the Maybank Championship with a 6-under 66 on Friday. After missing a 20-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole, Choi tapped in for a birdie, securing a 36-hole total of 14-under 130 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

The 26-year-old golfer began the day with a one-stroke lead, marking her first time topping the leaderboard after the initial two rounds in her professional career. Choi, who played for the South Korea team in last week’s International Crown, has yet to win on the LPGA Tour but boasts 28 career top-10 finishes.

Despite a bogey on her first hole, Choi maintained a positive outlook throughout the round. “I tried to keep the faith and play steady,” she said. “So I made lots of birdies today and my shots and putting was all good.”

Defending champion Nasa Hataoka shot 67 and climbed to second place, tied with Hannah Green, who also represented the South Korea team last weekend and shot 69 on Friday. Green expressed her fondness for returning to Malaysia, calling it almost a home event as it’s just a six-hour flight from her home in Perth, Australia.

Lydia Ko, who participated in the team event in South Korea, had a 70 in the second round and was among those tied for fourth, six strokes behind Choi. “I was pretty fatigued coming into this week,” Ko acknowledged. “Just been trying to stay cool and keep my energy levels up.”

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul shot 70 and was eight shots off the lead, while Brooke Henderson posted a second consecutive 70, sitting 10 strokes behind Choi. Thitikul, who has won multiple times on the LPGA Tour this year, looks to improve after finishing runner-up in her last two appearances in Malaysia.

The LPGA will conclude its five-week Asian swing with the Japan Classic at Shiga next week.