Hye-Jin Choi tapped in for a birdie on the 18th hole after missing a 20-foot eagle putt, carding a 6-under 66 Friday to build a commanding five-stroke lead at the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship.
Choi has extended her advantage to 14-under 130 through 36 holes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club course. It’s the first time in her career she’s led after consecutive rounds.
The 26-year-old South Korean, fresh off representing her country at last week’s International Crown, is still seeking her first LPGA Tour victory despite 28 career top-10 finishes. She first made headlines as a 17-year-old amateur when she placed second at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open.
What’s impressive about Choi’s round is how she recovered from an early setback.
“I tried to keep the faith and play steady,” Choi said after overcoming a bogey on her first hole. “So I made lots of birdies today and my shots and putting was all good.”
Defending champion Ruoning Yin surged into contention with a 67, climbing 19 spots into a tie for second at 9-under. She’s joined by Hannah Green, who shot 69 Friday after helping Australia win the International Crown last weekend.
Green feels particularly comfortable on the Malaysian course.
“It’s almost like my home event,” Green said, noting the relatively short six-hour flight from her home in Perth, Western Australia. “I also call this another home event.”
Lydia Ko, who represented the World team at the International Crown, posted a 70 to sit in a group tied for fourth, six strokes behind Choi.
“I was pretty fatigued coming into this week,” Ko admitted. “Just been trying to stay cool and keep my energy levels up.”
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul carded a 70 and sits eight shots off the pace. She’s the only multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this year, having captured the Mizuho Americas Open in May and another title in Shanghai nearly three weeks ago. Thitikul has finished runner-up in her last two Malaysian appearances.
Brooke Henderson posted her second consecutive 70 and trails Choi by 10 strokes.
The LPGA’s five-week Asian swing concludes next week with the Japan Classic at Shiga.
