Malaysia’s Zulaikah Nasser heads into the final round of the Maybank Championship ASEAN Qualifier in strong contention after posting an even-par 72 to share second place with Thai amateur Achiraya Sriwong. Zulaikah mixed sharp approach play with moments of inconsistency, carding three birdies and three bogeys, but a birdie on the last hole provided a welcome boost for Wednesday’s finale.
“I feel pretty good about my round although it was very up and down. I think I did well through the first eight holes and then on nine and 10, I bogeyed both holes,” Zulaikah admitted.
She added, “However, I bounced right back and finished with a birdie. I’m happy. I am hopeful for another good day tomorrow. I feel like if I keep doing the same things and keep my mind present, hopefully I will make it.”
“Today was about hitting the greens because the course is pretty long for me. So it was about making greens, taking two-putts and walking off with a par which is good. If I made a birdie, that’s a bonus. But even if I had to fight my way through to make a bogey, it’s okay, I could recover somewhere else,” she concluded.
While Zulaikah kept Malaysian hopes alive, the day belonged to Thailand’s teenage sensation Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul, who produced the round of her life. The 17-year-old carded a brilliant five-under-par 67 to take a commanding five-shot lead at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s West Course, capped by a career-first hole-in-one at the 147-yard par-three fourth hole.
Thai amateur Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul
“I’m very happy with this result. On the par-threes, I was able to get it close to the pin and made the putts for birdies. I also got my first hole-in-one ever! It was about 137 yards and I used a 9-iron. I was a bit shocked as it was quite a blind shot, so I didn’t know where my ball went. I was looking for the ball and then my caddie’s friend told me, it’s in the hole!” said Kritchanya.
She added, “I’m excited about the chance to play in the Maybank Championship, but I will keep myself calm and stick to my plan. I’ve played in professional events in Thailand before, but this will be my first time in an LPGA event, if I make it.”
Her lead may be significant, but Kritchanya remains cautious. “There’s still a lot of golf to be played. My goal tomorrow is to stick to my plan, hit fairways and greens, and keep enjoying the moment.”
Tied for fourth on one-over 73 are Malaysians Genevieve Ling and Aretha Pan, Thai amateur Namo Luangnitikul, and Thai professional Chakansim Khamborn.
Ling, who knows the West Course well, is eager to capitalise on her familiarity. “I think I kept it steady. Missed a few birdie putts but the pins were tough. They were tucked in tough positions, so I was happy to make pars on the front nine and made a few birdies coming in. Happy to make birdie on the last hole,” she said.
“Obviously, the goal is to finish in the top-5. I know this course well and I know which holes I can make birdies on and I’ll try to make as many as possible. We had all the toughest pins today, so I don’t think they can make it any tougher. Hopefully we’ll have a few more chances tomorrow. The Maybank Championship is one of the tournaments I want to play in the whole year. I’ve never got the opportunity previously, so it would mean a lot if I can make it through,” she added.
Despite Aretha Pan’s erratic driving, she refused to let frustration take over, instead trusting her chipping and putting to keep her in contention. “It was a roller coaster round because my long game, my drives weren’t that good. Hit it left and right, but I managed to stay on the fairways. I think I only hit nine greens, so it’s pretty low. But my chipping and putting helped me a lot, saving me strokes out there.”
With only the top five players securing coveted berths in the US$3 million Maybank Championship this October, Wednesday’s final round promises a fierce battle for the precious spots.
Thai amateur Achiraya Sriwong
Round 1 Leaderboard (top 10 and ties)
67 (-5): Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (THA (a)
72 (E): Zulaikah Nasser (MAS), Achiraya Sriwong (THA) (a)
73: (+1) Genevieve Ling (MAS), Aretha Pan (MAS), Namo Luangnitikul (THA) (a), Chakansim Khamborn (THA)
74: Tatiana Wijaya (INA), Thitapa Pakdeesettakul (THA), Onkanok Soisuwan (THA), Kan Bunnabodee (THA)
