Hye-Jin Choi showcased exceptional skill during the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship, securing a five-stroke lead with a score of 6-under 66 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. After missing a 20-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole, Choi tapped in for a birdie, bringing her 36-hole total to 14-under 130. This marks the first time in her career that she has led after the first two rounds of an LPGA event.
The 26-year-old South Korean golfer began her day with a one-stroke advantage and managed to maintain her composure, even after a bogey on her opening hole. “I tried to keep the faith and play steady,” Choi said. “So I made lots of birdies today and my shots and putting were all good.” Despite being winless on the LPGA Tour, Choi has an impressive track record with 28 career top-10 finishes and was a runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open as a 17-year-old amateur.
Chasing Competitors
Defending champion Yin Ruoning made significant strides during the second round, shooting 67 to climb 19 spots into second place. She is now tied with Australia’s Hannah Green, who finished with a score of 69. Green, a member of the victorious Australian team at last week’s International Crown, expressed her fondness for playing in Malaysia. “It’s almost like my home event,” she remarked, highlighting the relatively short six-hour flight from her home in Perth, Western Australia.
New Zealander Lydia Ko, who participated in a composite World lineup at the team event in South Korea, recorded a score of 70 in the second round, placing her in a group tied for fourth, six strokes behind Choi. Ko noted her fatigue coming into the week, stating, “Just been trying to stay cool and keep my energy levels up.”
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul also struggled to keep pace, shooting 70 and finding herself eight strokes behind the leader. Brooke Henderson, meanwhile, followed up her previous round with another 70, placing her ten strokes off Choi’s lead. Thitikul, the only multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this year, previously claimed victory at the Mizuho Americas Open in May and again in Shanghai nearly three weeks ago. She has finished as a runner-up in her last two appearances in Malaysia.
As the LPGA Tour concludes its five-week Asian swing, players will next head to Japan for the Japan Classic at Shiga, set to take place next week. The upcoming events provide an opportunity for competitors to shift momentum and challenge Choi, who remains poised to secure her first LPGA title.
