Kelly Tan seized the milder conditions to fire a four-under 68 with six birdies against two bogeys, and vaulted into the lead among Malaysia’s five at the US$3 million Maybank Championship, reaching five-under 211 total and tied for 38th at KLGCC’s West Course. Mirabel Ting carded two-under 70 for four-under 212 and tied for 45th. Genevieve Ling posted two-over 74 to stand one-under 215 and tied for 57th, Ashley Lau signed for four-over 76 and one-over 217 tied for 67th, and Liyana Durisic finished three-over 75 for three-over 219 overall, as the quintet eyes a strong Sunday finish.
Tan turned momentum with a sparkling four-under 68, her best round of the week, crediting improved execution and a hot putter.
“Steady round today. Executed better than I did yesterday. Gave myself a lot of looks. Putts decided to fall and I putted really well,” Tan said.
Mirabel Ting
Six birdies included a 25-footer on 14th that thrilled local fans, with par saves proving pivotal. “The important key for my round today was my par saves. Those couple of par putts that I made really helped with keeping my game going.”
Everything clicked – driver, irons, 27 putts total. “When the game clicks, obviously, you can shoot low. I think that’s what I did today,” she said.
The milder weather aided focus. “100%. I thought it was so nice and a lot cooler.”
Playing abroad most years, home support fuels her. “It’s important for the Malaysian fans, as a Malaysian, you want to do well too. It’s fun and really nice to have everyone here.”
For Sunday, she concluded, “Just keep giving yourself chances. I’m just proud that I did that today.”
Mirabel Ting mixed brilliance and frustration in a two-under 70, highlighted by a 54-foot eagle putt on the 3rd par 5 after a 5-iron from 190 yards. “I just managed to take the right line and hit good speed and, yeah, just went in,” Ting said.
A double on 6th par 4 from poor clubbing stung, and irons left her far from pins. “I wasn’t hitting my irons well at all today. Everything was really, really far from the hole. Didn’t really even get a chance to have a birdie putt,” she said.
Putting salvaged the day, but back-to-back tough rounds grated. “Yesterday was frustrating. Today, a 2-under is really frustrating.”
“Mentally resetting is one thing, not really having too much pressure for tomorrow.”
She aims to “just play golf and maybe just try and enjoy my last game.”
Ashley Lau
Ashley Lau endured a four-over 76, blaming bad bounces and scarce birdie looks despite decent striking.
“Just not a good day in the office. I hit some good shots; just had some bad bounces and just left me with some tough chips,” Lau said.
She added, “Didn’t really leave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. Nothing to be mad or sad about because I felt like I played pretty decent.”
Genevieve Ling
Genevieve Ling battled two-over 74 amid wayward ball-striking and tough pins, hitting water twice.
“I was not happy with my ball striking today, and the pins were put in tough positions, just made some mental errors,” Ling said.
“Putting was okay, more of a short game grind out there.”
Her mindset and game plan for the final day have changed. “A little bit more aggressive, if there is a chance to be aggressive, for sure I will do it.”
On the home crowds, she said, “The fans are amazing. I think I actually play really well under pressure, and it’s just reignited my passion to want to be out here.”
Liyana Durisic
Liyana Durisic posted three-over 75 with two doubles- one short-sided, one in water – but started hot and birdied 18.
“I started really well and then made a tough double and then made a couple mistakes,” Durisic said.
She added, “My putting has been really well this week. If I can just get the ball on the green, it would’ve been fine.”
“Last year, it felt like I was trying too hard. This week, I know I didn’t really play so well, but I feel like I have been enjoying it. So I think that’s a win.”
