ASEAN qualifier Liyana Durisic led the Malaysian challenge at the US$3 million Maybank Championship after an impressive bogey-free five-under-par 67 left her tied for sixth on the opening day at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) on Thursday.
Playing in front of a supportive home crowd, Liyana delivered a solid performance, marked by accurate ball-striking and smart course management, to emerge as the leading Malaysian in the LPGA Tour event.
Natasha Andrea Oon
The Malaysian credited her ability to minimise mistakes and find the right positions on the course with her strong start. She also drew energy from friends who followed her throughout the round, while her brother served as her caddie.
“It was nice. My really close friends are out here and it was very heartwarming to see them supporting. I thought they would kind of go away after nine holes but they didn’t, thankfully, which was really nice,” she said.
“I think this gives me a whole lot of energy and it’s – I’m not playing for myself. I’m also playing for other people and my country.”
The strong opening round also provided a timely confidence boost ahead of the second stage of LPGA Qualifying School next week.
Liyana said her mental game played an important role in her performance, with her brother helping her remain composed throughout the round.
“He was great at keeping me stable and calm throughout the round. So it was just the mental game that was perfect today,” she said.
Genevieve Ling
Meanwhile, Natasha Andrea Oon and Genevieve Ling both carded two-over-par 74s to share 64th place.
Oon relied on her short game to stay in contention after struggling with her ball-striking early in the round. The Malaysian said she was still finding her rhythm as she worked her way back into competitive golf this season.
“Honestly, just sticking to the process and I kind of hung in there. I wasn’t mad at how I played at all. Things just didn’t go my way sometimes, and it did,” she said.
Ling also leaned on her short game but was left to rue a costly double bogey after finding the water on the 14th hole. She remained positive about the next three rounds, saying she would review her performance and work on her game at the range.
Mirabel Ting
Mirabel Ting carded a three-over-par 75 to sit tied for 70th, while Kelly Tan returned a four-over-par 76 to finish the day in 76th place.
Ting said she struggled with her approach shots and putting, despite driving the ball well. She plans to rest and put the opening round behind her before returning for Friday’s second round.
Tan, meanwhile, felt her overall ball-striking was encouraging, though she was disappointed with her putting. The Malaysian said a double bogey on the 10th disrupted her momentum, followed by further mistakes on the back nine.
Kelly Tan
Despite the score, Tan praised the condition of KLGCC following heavy rain on Wednesday and welcomed the support of familiar faces in the home crowd.
