Miyu Yamashita Defends Title at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club
Miyu Yamashita successfully defended her title at the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship on Sunday, securing a two-stroke victory over Yan Liu at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Malaysia, the LPGA reported. Yamashita finished with a 72-hole total of 22-under 266 following a final-round 68. The 25-year-old Japanese golfer led the tournament from Friday’s second round onward, claiming her fifth career title and her second on the LPGA Tour this season.
Yan Liu Charges with Final-Round 68 as Yamashita Holds Steady
Yan Liu applied pressure throughout Sunday’s final round after carding a stellar 9-under 63 on Saturday to surge into contention. Yan matched Yamashita’s final-round 68 to finish the tournament at 18-under 268. Despite the late charge, Yan could not close the gap against Yamashita, who managed five birdies and just a single bogey on the par-4 9th hole during her championship-winning round.
With her win at the Maybank Championship, Miyu Yamashita becomes the second player in LPGA Tour history to earn over $3 million in season official earnings in back to back years, joining Jeeno Thitikul.
Prize Money Payouts and Final Leaderboard Standings
For her victory in Malaysia, Miyu Yamashita earned $450,000 from the overall $3 million tournament purse, as detailed by Golf Digest. Runner-up Yan Liu collected $275,721 for her second-place finish. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard and amateur player Marisa Tojai of Thailand tied for third place at 19-under par, with Roussin-Bouchard taking home $200,016 while Tojai competed as an amateur.
Upcoming LPGA Tour Schedule in Japan
The LPGA Tour now heads to Japan for the final stop of its four-week, late-season Asian swing. The tour concludes at the Toto Japan Classic held in Omitama, outside Tokyo, before taking a week off ahead of its season-ending events in Florida, as reported by Sky Sports.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Maybank Championship
What were the standout scoring rounds over the weekend?
Yan Liu recorded the lowest single round of the weekend with a 63 during Saturday’s third round, which included an eagle and nine birdies.
Where does the LPGA Tour travel next?
The tour moves to Omitama, Japan, for the Toto Japan Classic, which serves as the final event of the late-season Asian swing, according to ESPN.