Ruoning Yin (CHN), Miyu Yamashita (JPN) and Jeeno Thitikul (THA) alongside Maybank Championship Malaysian invites and ASEAN Qualifiers 2025 winners, (From L to R) Mirabel Tan, Liyana Durisic, Ashley Lau, Genevieve Ling, Kelly Tan, Ruoning Yin, Jeeno Thitikul, Miyu Yamashita, Kan Bunnabodee, Cholcheva Wongras, Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (a), Achiraya Sriwong (a), Namo Luangnitikul (a)
As the LPGA Tour’s Asian swing reaches its crescendo, the stage is set for the US$3 million Maybank Championship at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. From 30 October to 2 November, a star-studded field will battle on a course renowned for its pristine conditions and strategic demands.
Among the favourites are World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, defending champion Ruoning Yin, and inaugural winner Celine Boutier, each bringing their own history, momentum, and aspirations to this high-stakes event.
For Thitikul, the 22-year-old Thai sensation, this tournament feels like a homecoming. With back-to-back runner-up finishes in the previous editions, she has forged unforgettable memories here, including a gruelling nine-hole playoff against Boutier in 2023 and a strong second-place showing last year behind Yin.
“I had really good memories here,” Thitikul reflected. “I was in the playoff with Celine for nine holes, and then last year I had a really good finish. Came in second, but hats off to Ronni what she have done last year.”
She attributes her success to the familiar vibe: “The course really good condition as always. I think it just kind of feel like comfortable to play here. The course, the weather, and like also the fans seem like second home to me. I feel like it’s seem like a mini Thailand.”
Fresh off her second victory of the season, the Buick LPGA Shanghai and a stint at the International Crown, Thitikul enters the week with solid ball-striking but a grounded perspective on the game’s imperfections.
Maybank Championship ASEAN Qualifiers 2025 winners, (From L to R) Cholcheva Wongras, Achiraya Sriwong (a), Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (a), Namo Luangnitikul (a), Kan Bunnabodee, all from Thailand
“I had really good like ball striking like the past few month, but also, you know, like golf, which is mean we always and always have something to work on,” she said. “It’s just not a games that, oh, one day you got 100% out there. I don’t feel that. I never feel that.”
As the season winds down, her goals remain simple: “Be able to play enjoyable golf, be able to show them what I have in each tournament that I have left in this year.”
Thitikul’s role as an inspiration for emerging Thai talents adds another layer to her presence. With several young Thai players in the field via sponsor invites, she embraces her influence. “I think it’s just really means a lot to them,” she noted. “I think like, you know, be able to see me and then all the Thais players out there on the Tour, which I definitely think it’s kind of inspiring them to want to be on this point and want to be on top of the world for sure.”
As World No. 1, she focuses on constant improvement: “It’s Jeeno always has to keep improving myself on and off the course.” Reflecting on her growth since turning pro, she added, “Golf taught me a lot. Golf taught me to be like humble.”
China’s Ruoning Yin, the defending champion
Defending her title, China’s Ruoning Yin, affectionately known as Ronni, returns with fond recollections of her dominant performance last year, where her putting shone brightest.
“I think last year my performance was pretty consistent,” Yin said. “I think my putting, I would say the putting-wise is the strongest part of my game last year at this tournament.”
This year, her ball-striking takes centre stage: “I would say right now probably is my ball striking. I’m still working on my putting, try to hold more putts.”
The course’s layout plays to her strengths, particularly in the 100- to 150-yard range. “I would say this course you have a lot of chance around like 100 yards to — 100 to 150, which I think that’s my strength,” she explained.
“So I think just try to leave as many birdie chances as I can leave.” Yin views this event as a highlight on the calendar: “I always play good here. I played good in 2023 and I won last year, and Asia have such good food and good vibe. Yeah, I would say this is one of my favourite stops all year.”
As part of a fearless young Asian contingent on Tour, Yin credits trailblazers for paving the way. “I think there are a lot of older player, older generation leading the way. That make our road easier I would say,” she said. “And plus I think we just try to have fun here and not think about anything else.”
On defending her crown amid a competitive field: “I would love to defend my title, but there are a lot of great players this week. I think the LPGA players getting stronger and stronger.”
With a few events left, her focus is on growth: “I think my game is getting better every day, every week. … If I can get maybe even 1% better every day. I think that’s more important for me than winning.”
Celine Boutier of France, the inaugural champion of the Maybank Championship
Celine Boutier, the French star with Thai heritage who claimed the inaugural title in 2023 after that epic playoff with Thitikul, relishes her return. “Yeah, it’s really nice to be back,”
Boutier said. “I feel like it’s always a great tournament, and course is in really good condition this year again.
“Being the first champion holds extra meaning: “I think so. I feel like it’s always special memories and fun — yeah, just fun to be able to go around the course again and just remember the nice week two years ago.”
The course’s emphasis on accuracy suits her style. “I think it’s a course that’s very much about placement off the tee, but also the approach shots,” she described. “You kind of have to play good shots, and also be smart about where you want to go. … It’s fun. Definitely when you miss you can have some bogeys out there, so you got to be patient, and also kind of aggressive sometimes when the pin placement allow.”
“I feel like my game has been good all season. Just haven’t been able to have all parts of my game come together the same week. Hopefully soon because there is not that many weeks left.”
Boutier draws confidence from past triumphs here. “It’s just great memories remembering the shots that I was able to hit, especially coming down the stretch,” she said. The playoff remains etched in her mind: “I do think it was one of the craziest wins I’ve ever had. It was a lot of fun. Definitely not during, but after looking back it was definitely one of the things that really are very memorable in someone’s career.”
With Thitikul eyeing her first Maybank win, Yin aiming to repeat, and Boutier chasing another memorable performance, the 2025 edition promises drama on a course that rewards consistency and nerve.
As Thitikul put it, “Definitely when I trying to get the win for sure. I mean, this one is one of my favourite events to be.”
