Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Miyu Yamashita of Japan emerged victorious at the LPGA‘s Maybank Championship on Sunday, triumphing in a captivating three-way playoff to claim her second career title. This win marks a meaningful milestone for the 24-year-old golfer, occurring in her first full season on the tour.

The decisive moment came as Yamashita expertly birdied the first playoff hole,while South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi and Australia’s Hannah Green coudl only manage pars. This victory builds upon Yamashita’s prior success, adding the prestigious Maybank title to her first major championship win secured in August.

A Dramatic Final Round

Yamashita surged into contention with a remarkable round of 65, matching the best score of the day and propelling her to an 18-under 270 total at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. This performance showcased her resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

hye-Jin Choi, who had entered the final round with a four-stroke advantage, found herself unable to capitalize on key putting opportunities, allowing her lead to diminish as the round progressed. Despite a strong showing throughout the tournament, Choi continues her pursuit of a maiden LPGA title, having now finished as runner-up three times when leading into the final round.

Hannah Green, fresh off a triumphant performance with the Australian team at the international Crown, carded a fluctuating 68, featuring seven birdies against three bogies. A clutch birdie on the final hole propelled her into the playoff alongside Yamashita and Choi.

A Highly Competitive Leaderboard

The competition extended beyond the playoff contenders. World Number One Jeeno Thitikul finished with a 68, alongside China’s Liu Yan (65), Japan’s Akie Iwai (67), and the South Korean duo of A Lim Kim (68) and Kim Sei-Young (66), all concluding the tournament at 17-under, just one stroke behind the leaders.

Thitikul, aiming for a breakthrough win in Malaysia after finishing as a runner-up in the previous two years, saw her hopes dashed by a bogey on the 16th hole.

Weather Delays and a Tense finish

An hour-long rain delay midway through the final round heightened the tension, interrupting the momentum of the leaders. following the resumption of play, Choi briefly regained ground with a well-timed birdie on the 16th.However, Green quickly joined the playoff fray, leading to a further delay of over 30 minutes due to another rain shower before the playoff commenced.

Defending champion Yin Ruoning concluded her campaign with a 70, finishing at 14-under 274, four strokes off the winning score. Brooke Henderson also recorded a 70, tying for 27th place.

Looking Ahead

The LPGA Tour continues its Asian swing next week with the Japan Classic at Shiga.

Did you Know? The Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club has hosted the Maybank Championship since 2018, quickly becoming a favorite stop on the LPGA Tour due to its challenging layout and passionate fans.

Pro Tip: When facing a pressure-packed putt, take a deep breath, visualize the ball dropping into the hole, and maintain a smooth, consistent stroke.

Player Country Final Score Round 4 Score
Miyu Yamashita Japan -18 65
Hye-Jin Choi south Korea -18 68
Hannah Green Australia -18 68
Jeeno Thitikul Thailand -17 68

What are your thoughts on yamashita’s extraordinary win and her potential for future success on the LPGA Tour?

do you think the rain delays had a significant impact on the tournament’s outcome?