World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States and Paris Olympics gold medallist Lydia Ko of New Zealand are among the many marquee names who have signed up for the US$3 million Maybank Championship, which is the largest purse of any Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event in Asia.
This year’s event, which will be played at the Kuala Lumpour Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) from October 24 to 27, will feature a star-studded line-up including defending champion Celine Boutier of France and Thailand’s Athaya (Jeeno) Thitikul, the valiant protagonists in last year’s epic nine-hole playoff won by the former at KLGCC’s highly rated West Course.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand
The other leading players in the 78-player field include World No. 2 Lilia Vu, Japan’s top golfer and 2024 Amundi Evian Championship winner Ayaka Furue, former World No 1 Ruoning Yin of China, and popular Canadian Brooke Henderson who has two Major titles to her name. Also set to tee it up at KLGCC are Korean Amy Yang, who won this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her much decorated compatriot Jin Young Ko, two-time US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of Japan, and Australia’s leading player Hannah Green.
Each boasting an impressive golf CV and global fanbase, these players will thrill fans with their exceptional skills as they battle it out for the coveted Tiger Trophy.
One of the world’s most popular players since bursting onto the world stage as a teenager more than a decade ago, Ko is enjoying a career renaissance with an exceptional season that has firmly cemented her status as one of the greats of the game. Now aged 27, she completed her collection of Olympic medals by striking gold at Le Golf National in early August and secured her third major title just two weeks later at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews. The Olympic victory earned Ko the 27 points necessary for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
A 21-time LPGA Tour winner, Ko notched her previous two major victories at the 2015 Amundi Evian Championship and 2016 Chevron Championship.
Korda finished tied 6th at last year’s Maybank Championship and will once again be among the heavy favourites for the title, having enjoyed a superb 2024 season. The American star won the 2024 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award for most outstanding record in all five major championships during the season with a T2 finish at the AIG Women’s Open, her 12th career top 10 performance in a major.
Earlier this year, Korda won The Chevron Championship to claim her second career major title and fifth straight victory of 2024, which tied the record for most consecutive Tour wins in tournaments participated. She added a sixth season win and 14th career LPGA title at the Mizuho Americas Open, which put her in the history books as just the fourth player in LPGA Tour history to win six or more times in a season before the end of May.
Joining the world’s top players will be five regional talents who earned their spots via the inaugural Maybank Championship ASEAN Qualifier at KLGCC last month. Indonesia’s Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri, who won the qualifier, will be joined by her amateur compatriot Kristina Natalia Yoko, Thailand’s Chayanit Wangmahaporn, and the Malaysian duo of Liyana Durisic and Nur Durriyah Damian.
The Maybank Championship is a no-cut event, which ensures that fans will be able to see their favourite players in action on all four days. Ticketing options include the RM38 Weekday Pass (entry for Thursday and Friday), RM68 Weekend Pass (entry for Saturday and Sunday), and RM88 Season Pass (entry for all four days).
In line with the championship’s inclusivity objective, children under 12 enjoy free entry. Maybank Cardholders (Debit, Credit & Charge Cards) and MAE App users are also entitled to free entry. For more information and ticket bookings, visit Maybank Championship Ticketing.
