Indonesia’s Patricia Walanda Sinolungan and Thailand’s amateur Kanyarak Pongpithanon made strong starts at the Maybank Championship 2026 ASEAN Qualifier, sharing the first-round lead after posting three-under-par 69s at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC).
Sinolungan produced a strong finish on the West Course after opening with a bogey-free 33, theincluding three birdies on her front nine. She then recovered from three early bogeys on the back nine with a birdie on the 16th, before sealing her round with an eagle on the 17th.
“I started solid, with three birdies on the front nine, putting well and giving myself good chances. It got a bit shaky on the second nine, but I bounced back to play my last three holes in three-under, including an eagle on the 17th,” said Sinolungan.
“I’m very happy with the way I finished.”
Kanyarak Pongpithanon of Thailand
Pongpithanon was equally impressive, keeping her scorecard clean through the front nine before making four birdies against a bogey on the back nine to match Sinolungan’s three-under 69.
Philippines’ Florence Yvon Bisera sits alone in third on two-under 70 after a strong back nine, which included four birdies.
Thailand’s Pimnipa Panthong and amateur Marisa Tojai share fourth place on one-under 71, while four Thai players – Kan Bunnabodee, amateur Achiraya Sriwong, amateur Ngampan Chantana and Kultida Pramphun are tied for sixth on even-par 72.
Liyana Durisic of Malaysia
Malaysia’s challenge is led by professional Liyana Durisic and amateur Foong Zi Yu, who carded one-over 73s to share 11th place.
The two-day qualifier features 78 players – 42 professionals and 36 amateurs – from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. The 36-hole stroke-play event concludes on Wednesday, with the top five players earning coveted invitations to the US$3 million Maybank Championship 2026.
The Maybank Championship, the region’s premier LPGA Tour event, will take place at KLGCC from 29 October to 1 November 2026.
