Sweden’s Maja Stark climbed to the top of the leaderboard at the US$3 million Maybank Championship after back-to-back rounds of 66, powered by precise short irons and renewed confidence in her putting. She carded a two-round aggregate of 12-under 132 on the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, West Course.
Reflecting on what’s driving her success, Stark highlighted her precise approach shots. “I think my short irons, for sure,” she said. “The course has been set up perfectly for that, and I’ve just been trying to trust my putter more than I have recently.”
Stark’s improved reads on the greens have also given her an edge. “Thankfully, I’ve been lucky with my reads,” added the Swedish player whose rounds included four straight birdies from the 10th to 13th holes.
With the greens rolling beautifully, Stark is optimistic about her chances over the weekend, although she acknowledges the pressure that comes with leading. “I do look at the leaderboards, but it feels like it’s been a while since I was in this position,” she admitted.
“I’m just going to try not to freak out if people pass me and stay focused,” she added.
Marina Alex of the United States
Marina Alex, in her 20th tournament of the season, with two career wins since joining the tour in 2013, posted the day’s best round with a 64, propelling her up 24 spots on the leaderboard to second place. Alex is tied with South Korean Narin An, who finished with a 67 after birdieing her final hole, and two other players.
The American surged up the leaderboard with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes and made a spectacular eagle on the par-4 17th, holing out from the fairway.
“I believe it was 131 yards, slightly downwind,” Alex said of her 9-iron approach. “The wind has been all over the place here, maybe because of some incoming storms. I thought it might come up a little short, but it landed just three or four yards shy and went in. It was really tough to see because I’m standing a bit lower and the green is a touch elevated. The people up by the green were pretty pumped about it.”
Meanwhile, first-round leader and rookie Mao Saigo, who opened with a 63, was affected by the weather suspension and followed up with a 74 to sit at 7-under, five strokes back. Defending champion Celine Boutier carded a 69, positioning herself at 8-under, four shots behind Stark.
Malaysian golfer Ashley Lau staged a remarkable performance carding a four-under-par 68 to move up the leaderboard.
Ashley Lau of Malaysia
With birdies on holes three, four, six, and eight, the 24-year-old Olympian showed resilience, placing her in a tie for 39th as the best-performing Malaysian competitor thus far.
“It was a very slow start for me,” Lau shared. “I wasn’t doing great on the front nine but managed 1-under. Thankfully, on the second nine, putts started going in.”
Reflecting on her approach, Lau noted the day’s slight winds and her decision to play conservatively, adding, “I just tried to stay patient and aggressive on the back nine.”
Meanwhile, amateur Mirabel Ting recorded a three-over-par 75 for a two-day score of two-under-par 142, ending the day tied for 44th with South Africa’s Paula Reto, Canada’s Brooke Henderson and South Koreans Yu Jin Song and Somi Lee. Despite struggling with putts, Ting managed two birdies late in her round.
Mirabel Ting of Malaysia
“Conditions were tougher today, and I felt frustrated with my game,” Ting said.
However, she drew support from the local crowd, sharing, “Playing at home with such support means a lot. Even when I made mistakes, the crowd kept me motivated.”
The other two Malaysians, Durriyah Damian and Liyana Durisic faced another challenging round, finishing with scores of 79 and 81 to place 75th and 76th, respectively.
