Defending champion Miyu Yamashita of Japan surged to the top of the leaderboard with a bogey-free six-under-par 66, taking a two-shot lead after the second round of the US$3 million Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) on Friday.
Yamashita, who opened with a seven-under-par 65 on Thursday, added another flawless round to reach 13-under-par 131, moving clear of the field in her bid to retain the title.
Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard share second place at 11-under-par 133, while South Korea’s A Lim Kim sits alone in fourth on 10-under.
Yamashita said that consistent ball-striking and good approach shots had been key to her strong performance over the first two days.
“My ball-striking was pretty consistent again today, and I was able to give myself some good birdie opportunities with my approach shots. So overall, I think I played another really solid round,” she said.
The Japanese star also believes her game is in better shape than it was last year, and her swing has felt particularly good this season.
Despite not being among the longest hitters on tour, Yamashita has made the most of KLGCC’s narrow fairways and elevation changes, thanks to accurate distance control and strong play on the par-fives.
Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain
Julia Lopez Ramirez moved into contention with a six-under-par 66, despite a double bogey, thanks to an impressive display of iron play and driving.
The Spaniard said that keeping the ball in the fairway and making precise approaches allowed her to create several close birdie opportunities.
“My irons were going really well and my birdies were all into like six feet, so I think that’s what made the round go really well,” she said.
Lopez Ramirez also credited her experience at the Solheim Cup with giving her greater confidence, particularly when playing in front of large crowds.
“It kind of gave you a lot of confidence, like if you can be out here, you can be playing in tournaments as well,” she said.
Pauline Roussin- Bouchard of France
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who led after the opening round with an eight-under-par 64, stayed firmly in the hunt after another bogey-free round. The Frenchwoman recorded three birdies for a three-under-par 69, reaching 11-under.
Despite missing several birdie opportunities, she was pleased with her ability to save par and to limit mistakes.
“Today was all about that. The few putts that I made were mostly for pars, so those were definitely clutch,” she said.
Roussin-Bouchard added that maintaining the same mindset over the final two rounds would be key, while hoping to convert more of her putts.
A Lim Kim produced one of the day’s best rounds, an eight-under-par 64, to climb to fourth place. The South Korean said improved approach play and putting made the difference.
A Lim Kim of South Korea
She also drew on her experience at KLGCC from previous appearances, having learnt to manage the course’s tricky green slopes and grain.
Meanwhile, American Brooke Matthews had a memorable moment with a hole-in-one at the par-three fourth. Using a nine-iron from 128 yards, she watched as her shot dropped into the cup, providing a welcome boost after a bogey on the preceding par-five.
The ace also prompted a US$20,000 donation from CME Group to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
With Yamashita holding a two-shot advantage, the stage is set for an exciting weekend as the world’s best players continue their challenge for the Tiger trophy.
