South Korean sensation Choi Hye-Jin continued her impressive form to seize the second-round lead at the Maybank Championship 2025, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of elite golf at the West Course, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
The 25-year-old displayed a remarkable blend of precision and mental resilience, carding a -6(66) for an overall score of –14(130), maintaining her place atop a fiercely competitive leaderboard.
Despite a rocky start with a bogey on the opening hole, Choi responded with seven birdies across the next five holes to complete a scorching front nine. She added two more birdies on the 13th and 18th holes, solidifying her lead heading into the weekend.
“From the start, I made a bogey on the first hole, but I tried to keep my faith and stay steady,” said Choi. “I made lots of birdies today — my shots and putting were both good. When I play many tournaments in a row, I can lose some energy, but I try to stay focused, learn from each round, and keep improving my game.”
Trailing five strokes behind Choi at -9(135) (T2) are defending champion Ruoning Yin and Australian star Hannah Green, both putting themselves firmly in contention.
Yin delivered a superb bounce-back performance, climbing 19 positions from T21 after a stunning round featuring nine birdies and two bogeys. Meanwhile, Green remained steady with three birdies and a bogey-free round, showcasing her trademark consistency.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul carded a -2(70), bringing her total to -6(138), keeping her within striking distance. The Thai star recorded five birdies but conceded three bogeys on the 4th, 6th, and 8th holes, leaving her room for improvement heading into Round 3.
Malaysia’s Ashley Lau once again impressed home fans, posting an even-par 72 to sit at three-under 141 (T41) — the best among local players. Her composure on the course and precision in approach shots have kept her in strong contention to close as Malaysia’s best finisher this week.
Unlike most LPGA Tour events, the Maybank Championship 2025 will see all 78 golfers play all four rounds, ensuring fans get to witness their favorite players throughout the weekend.
Credit Photo : Maybank
