Golf fans in Malaysia will be in for a thrilling spectacle of world-class golf when the 2025 Maybank Championship returns to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) from 30 October to 2 November 2025.
Celine Boutier of France
No less than 18 winners from the 2025 LPGA Tour have signed on for the much-anticipated Championship, including reigning World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand. With 24 events played so far, there have been no repeat winners this season, highlighting the growing depth of the LPGA Tour and the women’s game.
Known for her aggressive style and shot-making prowess, Thitikul will return to KLGCC determined to convert consistency into history as she attempts to capture the title that has narrowly eluded her twice.
Standing in her way will be two familiar rivals: defending champion Ruoning Yin of China, who edged her by one shot in 2024, and inaugural winner Celine Boutier of France, who clinched the Tiger Trophy in 2023 after an epic nine-hole playoff.
Reflecting on the Championship’s growth, Boutier noted: “It’s definitely becoming one of the biggest tournaments we have on the regular schedule, especially in Asia. Since the first year, it was already a pretty big stage – the course is amazing, the crowds are amazing, and they keep pushing the bar higher. I love going there because we always feel the support from the sponsor and the fans. It’s always fun for us players.”
Grace Kim of Australia
Australian Grace Kim, who claimed her maiden Major at the Evian Championship this year in a dramatic playoff against Thitikul, will also be a key contender. Making her Maybank debut is Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, the newly crowned AIG Women’s Open champion, alongside English rising star Lottie Woad, who stunned the golf world by winning the Scottish Open in her first professional start.
Adding to the global mix are Japan’s Iwai twins, Akie and Chisato, Rolex First-Time Winners in 2025, as well as Rio Takeda, Angel Yin, and A Lim Kim, each bringing distinct strengths to the competition. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, already a World Golf Hall of Famer at just 28, will also headline with her trademark consistency and poise.
On balancing her World No. 1 status with expectations, Thitikul said: “You can’t escape it, and you can’t hide from it. Expectations will always be there, whether my own or from others. But I see it as just another challenge in life. If you can define yourself, and not let golf define you, that’s good enough.”
Mirabel Ting and Ashley Lau
The Maybank Championship 2025, now boasting a $3 million purse, continues to affirm its ambition as one of the LPGA Tour’s most formidable stages.
Flying the Jalur Gemilang will be Mirabel Ting, Ashley Lau, Kelly Tan, Liyana Durisic, and Genevieve Ling, who will collectively carry Malaysia’s hopes. Ting and Lau lit up KLGCC last year with stellar performances, finishing T12 and T22 respectively.
The inclusion of five ASEAN qualifiers, alongside Malaysia’s stars, underscores Maybank’s commitment to providing the region’s brightest talents with a pathway onto the LPGA stage, while inspiring the next wave of champions.
