KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Hye-Jin Choi surged ahead in the Maybank Championship, maintaining a four-stroke lead as she heads into the final round. On Saturday, Choi delivered an impressive performance, shooting a 5-under 67, bringing her 54-hole total to 19-under 197 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
With a commanding start to the day, Choi began with a five-stroke advantage. The 26-year-old South Korean golfer is on the brink of her first LPGA Tour victory, previously finishing second at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open as a 17-year-old amateur. This week marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time Choi has led after the first three rounds of a tournament, and she has previously led into the final round on two occasions, finishing as a runner-up both times.
Choi expressed her anticipation for the final round, stating, “I’ve been waiting for this a really long time, and I’m going to try my best tomorrow. I think I will feel like I’m making the dream, and I just imagine it. I’m just looking for a victory tomorrow.”
Chasing Contenders and Rising Stars
In pursuit of Choi, China’s Liu Yan delivered a flawless performance, finishing the day with a bogey-free round of 65, placing her second overall. Australian golfer Hannah Green, who contributed to her team’s victory at the recent International Crown, is currently in third place after carding a 67, four strokes behind Choi.
A Lim Kim showed remarkable improvement, posting a noteworthy 64 that tied her for fourth place, six strokes off the lead. Kim’s round included an eagle on the 18th hole and six birdies, showcasing her skill and determination. “It was a great shot, but improbable,” Kim remarked about her 25-foot eagle putt on the final hole, adding that she started her round with four birdies in five holes.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who has placed as a runner-up in Malaysia for the past two years, also made a strong showing, shooting a 65 and joining Kim in the tie for fourth. Thitikul credited her supportive fans for her performance, describing the course as a “mini-Thailand” for her, especially as she birdied her last three holes of the day.
Defending champion Yin Ruoning remains in contention, currently in seventh place after shooting a 69, seven strokes behind Choi. She shares her position with New Zealander Lydia Ko, who finished with a score of 68. Brooke Henderson also competed well, posting a 68 but stands 11 strokes off the lead.
As the LPGA Tour concludes its five-week Asian swing, all eyes will be on Choi as she aims to secure her first victory at the Japan Classic in Shiga next week. The anticipation builds as she prepares for what could be a defining moment in her career.
