The five qualifiers,(L-R) Marisa Tojai (a), Achiraya Sriwong (a), Sarisa Pojanalai(a), Pimnipa Panthong andL iyanaDurisic, who earned their spots at the Maybank Championship2026, happening at KLGCC from 29 October–1 November2026.
Malaysia’s Liyana Durisic secured the fifth and final qualifying spot for the Maybank Championship 2026 after finishing on one-under-par 143 at the ASEAN Qualifier at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC).
Durisic produced a strong final round to finish one-under overall, overcoming a nervous back nine to secure her place in the US$3 million Maybank Championship, which will be held at KLGCC from October 29 to November 1.
The 25-year-old Malaysian opened her final round in superb fashion, firing a five-under-par front nine before having to fight to protect her score.
“The first nine I played beautifully, five-under and happy. But then I got a little nervous trying to keep that five-under in the bank and dropped a couple of shots,” said Durisic.
“I stayed patient over the last four holes and was lucky to walk away with a par. It would be so exciting to play in the Maybank Championship 2026.”
Durisic’s qualification marks her third start in the Maybank Championship, a significant milestone for a player whose journey with Maybank began in 2014 as part of the Maybank Champions Academy.
The intensive junior development programme helped kick-start her journey towards elite golf, making her return to the tournament particularly fitting.
Durisic’s result sparked huge cheers from the home crowd as she became the only Malaysian to secure one of the five coveted Sponsor’s Invitations.
Thailand dominated the qualifying spots, with amateurs Sarisa Pojanalai and Achiraya Sriwong, and professional Pimnipa Panthong sharing the top spot at four-under-par 140.
Pojanalai produced the round of the tournament with a six-under 66 featuring eight birdies. Sriwong, who also qualified for last year’s Maybank Championship, followed with a four-under 68, while Panthong closed with a three-under 69.
Another Thai amateur, Marisa Tojai, secured fourth place at two-under 142.
The 2026 ASEAN Qualifier attracted a record 78 players from five Southeast Asian countries, up from 69 players in 2025 and 35 in the inaugural 2024 edition.
Established in 2024, the qualifier provides a merit-based pathway for professional and elite amateur golfers aged 14 and above from ASEAN nations to compete alongside the LPGA Tour’s best at the Maybank Championship.
The event is also part of Maybank’s broader commitment to developing regional sporting talent, strengthening ASEAN connectivity and creating opportunities for the next generation of golfers.
The Maybank Championship 2026 will take place at KLGCC from October 29 to November 1.
