Maybank Championship Preview

The tournament commences on 30 October and will continue for the next four days. It is among the four significant tournaments left in the year. In 2024, Yin Ruoning won the esteemed title by one stroke. This year’s field is led by World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who is expected to be an overwhelming favorite for the title. Let’s review the preview.

Jeeno Thitikul

In the past two editions of the tournament, Jeeno Thitikul has finished as the runner-up, falling just short of the title. The 22-year-old Thai golfer will be resolute in overcoming her past disappointments and emerging victorious this time. As the overwhelming favorite, she will be eager to realize her dream of capturing her first championship in Malaysia. Thitikul is presently at the pinnacle of her career, having recently secured the Buick LPGA Shanghai title in convincing fashion. This triumph marked her third title this year, following her successes at the Muziho Americas Open and CME Group Tour Championship. Now in her fourth LPGA season, Thitikul has evolved into a world-class golfer, boasting the mindset of a leading player globally, rendering her an extremely difficult opponent to vanquish.

Sei Young Kim

Sei Young Kim will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the field and a strong contender for the title. The 32-year-old Korean recently broke a five-year drought by winning the BMW Ladies Championship with a four-stroke margin. Her last victory was at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2020. This win marked her 13th title on the LPGA Tour, achieved over a career spanning more than ten years. Her recent success will likely motivate her to excel in this event. However, her past performances in Malaysia have been less than ideal, with finishes outside the top 10 in the previous two editions of the tournament. This event will serve as an opportunity for her to turn things around. As an experienced player on tour, she is well-versed in performing under pressure and has a point to prove.

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko’s outstanding track record makes her a formidable favorite in the upcoming Mybank Championship. As one of the most skilled players on the LPGA Tour, the 28-year-old New Zealand star has accumulated an impressive 23 LPGA titles, including five major trophies and an Olympic gold medal. Ko’s objective is to conclude the year on a high note and advance in the rankings, presently occupying the fourth spot globally. Her past performances in the tournament have been commendable, with a sixth-place finish last year and an 11th-place finish in 2023. Ko aims to build upon these results and achieve a higher finish this time around, utilizing her winning pedigree, as exemplified by her title win at the HSBC Women’s Championship in Singapore earlier this year.

Lottie Woad

Lottie Woad is rapidly gaining recognition as a rising star in the golfing world. This 21-year-old English golfer has been enjoying a stellar season since transitioning to professional golf this year. Her outstanding performances have yielded rewarding results, as seen in her climb to 11th place in the current world rankings. In addition, she has accumulated two trophies this season, including the prestigious ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open title in July, which holds professional ranking recognition. With her exceptional golf skills on display, Woad’s future prospects appear promising. To achieve success in her inaugural tournament appearance, she will need to perform at her best. While this may seem like a formidable challenge, she has shown the potential to deliver under pressure.

Prize Money

The tournament carries $3 million prize pool with the winner pocketing $450 000 in total.

Past winners

2024 – Yin Ruoning

2023 – Celine Boutier