In an impressive display of skill, Gemma Dryburgh finished the first round of the Maybank Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just one stroke behind leader Hye-Jin Choi. The Scottish golfer, 32, recorded a remarkable 7-under 65 on Thursday, bringing her closer to a second LPGA Tour victory in Asia, three years after her first win in Japan.
Dryburgh’s performance was highlighted by her seventh birdie on the 18th hole at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. She is currently tied for second with Italy’s Benedetta Moresco, both players trailing Choi, who shot a stellar 8-under 64. Choi’s round included an eagle on the par-5 third hole and a birdie on the final hole.
Conditions Favor Familiar Play
Despite the humid and hot weather in Malaysia, which contrasts sharply with her native Scotland, Dryburgh found some comfort in her current residence of New Orleans. She attended Tulane University, where she honed her skills in similar conditions. “It was a very stress-free round,” Dryburgh said. “I like how the greens are kind of similar to where I play in New Orleans, grainy. So it kind of suits my eye.”
A strong field is vying for the title, with seven players tied for fourth place at 6-under 66, including notable golfers such as Lydia Ko and Hannah Green. The competition remains fierce, and the outcome is still very much in play as the tournament progresses.
Choi’s Strong Start and Defending Champion’s Performance
Choi expressed satisfaction with her round, noting her ability to recover from difficult situations. “I had a lot of situations which I could make bogeys because of rough and hazard, but I made a lot of good pars,” she stated. The first-round leader is keen to maintain her momentum in the following rounds.
Defending champion Yin Ruoning opened her title defense with a solid round of 68. Meanwhile, world number one Jeeno Thitikul, who recently claimed victory at the Mizuho Americas Open and in Shanghai, also finished with a 68. Thitikul shared her comfort with the Malaysian course and atmosphere, calling it “like a mini-Thailand.”
The LPGA Tour continues its five-week Asian swing, with the next event being the Japan Classic at Shiga, the site of Dryburgh’s victory in 2022. This week’s competition at the Maybank Classic will be crucial for players looking to build on their successes and secure significant wins before the season progresses.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the leaderboard, where the battle for the title is heating up in Kuala Lumpur.
