Maybank Championship 2026: Yamashita Holds Two-Shot Lead in Round 3
Japan's Miyu Yamashita fired a 67 to stay on track for a historic title defence at KLGCC, while China's Yan Liu shot a stunning 63 and Thai amateur Marisa Tojai surged into the top four.
Miyu Yamashita remains firmly on course to become the first-ever two-time winner of the Maybank Championship after carding a third-round five-under-par 67 on Saturday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). The Japanese star moved to 18-under-par 198 on the demanding West Course, building a crucial two-stroke cushion heading into the final round as she hunts her third title of the 2026 LPGA Tour season and the first successful defense of her career.
Yamashita's mettle was tested on moving day, but she met the challenge with clinical precision, hitting 13 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens in regulation while needing 28 putts. Having bettered her 54-hole score from last year's winning campaign by a remarkable seven strokes, Yamashita is putting together a masterclass in consistency as she targets back-to-back victories in Kuala Lumpur.
However, the chasing pack ignited a thrilling Saturday spectacle. China's Yan Liu delivered the round of the day, scorching the course with a sensational nine-under-par 63 to rocket up the leaderboard into a tie for second at 16-under-par 200. Liu's bogey-free masterclass featured nine birdies and a spectacular closing eagle on the par-5 18th hole, matching Carlota Ciganda's second-round 63 for the lowest score of the week. The career-best round lifts Liu alongside France's Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who carded a steady four-under 67 to maintain her strong position.
Stealing plenty of the headlines was 17-year-old Thai amateur Marisa Tojai, who produced a sensational seven-under-par 65 for the second consecutive day. The youngest player in the field bounced back from an opening 72 in spectacular fashion, mixing six birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey to surge into a tie for fourth place at 14-under-par alongside Australia's Robyn Choi. Tojai now stands as the leading Thai player, amateur, and ASEAN Qualifier, positioning herself to shatter the historical tournament record for the highest finish by an amateur, which currently stands at a T12 achieved by Malaysia's Mirabel Ting in 2024. Fellow Thai ASEAN Qualifier Achiraya Sriwong also continued her fine form, shooting a five-under 67 to climb into a tie for 18th at nine-under.
For the local Malaysian contingent, Mirabel Ting paced the home charge on moving day. The sponsor's invite carded a three-under 69 to sit tied for 43rd at four-under-par overall, capping a memorable week that has already seen her crowned the Epson Tour's points leader to secure full LPGA Tour status for 2027. Among her compatriots, Natasha Oon sits tied for 58th at one-under, Liyana Durisic is tied for 61st at even par, Kelly Tan is 73rd at four-over, and Genevieve Ling holds 76th at nine-over.
With Yamashita holding a narrow two-shot advantage over a blistering field featuring Liu and Roussin-Bouchard—and a fearless teenager in Tojai lurking just four shots back—Sunday's finale at KLGCC promises an unforgettable showdown for the prestigious Tiger Trophy.
Credit Photo : Maybank
