Japan’s Miyu Yamashita emerged victorious at the Maybank Championship 2025 held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) following a tense playoff against Australian Hannah Green and Korean Hye-Jin Choi, recalling the marathon nine-hole duel that decided the inaugural 2023 title.

Yamashita, competing in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour, closed with a flawless seven-under-par 65 to finish on 18-under 270, joining Green (68,-18) and Choi (73, -18) in the playoff. Choi, who began the day with a four-shot lead, missed a decisive birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation play that would have sealed her first LPGA win. Rain and lightning twice halted play, extending the suspense before Yamashita clinched victory with a birdie on the first playoff hole to claim the Tiger Trophy, her second LPGA Tour title of the season after winning the AIG Women’s Open earlier this year.

“It’s my first time (playoff) on the LPGA Tour, so I was really nervous. In every tournament, I try to aim for a win, and I’m very happy to have won for the second time this season. As the year comes to an end, I’m truly encouraged by the support from my manager, my family and all my sponsors – their support means so much to me,” said Miyu Yamashita.

Throughout the week, the Maybank Championship once again showed that progress in the game is driven by shared ambition and collaboration, capturing Maybank’s intent to harness collective power for growth within and beyond golf.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand delivered a four-under 68 on Sunday to finish T4 at 17-under-par 271, securing her third consecutive top five at KLGCC. Defending champion Ruoning Yin of China put in a composed title defense, closing at 14-under-par 274 after a final round of 70, underscoring her reputation as one of the most consistent players on the LPGA Tour.

The Championship featured standout golf throughout the week, marked by birdie streaks, clutch recoveries and record-setting play. Highlights included a composed opening 67 from Malaysia’s Mirabel Ting, singled out by the LPGA as a “player to watch”, and whose fearless play drew some of the loudest cheers on home soil. Choi’s record-breaking pace, Green’s final-round charge, Thitikul’s late push and Maybank ambassador Kelly Tan’s surge on Saturday added to a memorable week of world-class competition.

For Malaysia, the Championship was a proud milestone that showcased the nation’s growing strength in women’s golf. Ting led the local contingent, finishing T49 at three-under 285 with rounds of 67, 75, 70 and 73, marking a composed and confident performance. Her finish also earned her a place in an Epson Tour event, a Maybank initiative that rewards the highest-finishing regional invitee with a direct pathway towards LPGA qualification.

Tan followed in T56 on two-under par 286, highlighted by a superb 68 on Saturday, while Genevieve Ling matched that position with steady play across four days. Ashley Lau and Liyana Durisic finished at two-over-par and four-over-par respectively, both showing consistency and control in front of home fans.

The field, headlined by Thitikul and Yin, also featured five ASEAN Qualifiers whose performances reflected the tournament’s role as a springboard for regional talent.

Among the ASEAN invitees, Thailand’s Cholcheva Wongras emerged as the top finisher at T64 on even-par 288, displaying poise throughout the week. Compatriots Namo Luangnitikul (a) and Achiraya Sriwong (a) finished T67 (+1) and T71 (+3) respectively, after steady showings that underlined the region’s growing depth. Kan Bunnabodee and Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (a) rounded out the group, gaining valuable experience competing alongside the LPGA’s best. Together, they embodied the Championship’s purpose as a platform connecting ambition, opportunity and collective progress across ASEAN.

Dato' Sri Khairussaleh Ramli, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Maybank said, “At Maybank, we believe in the strength of ‘Harnessing Collective Power’, and the Maybank Championship is the embodiment of that belief. This year, we have been privileged to see golf at the highest level from our 2025 champion, Miyu Yamashita. Your skill and focus have been a thrill to watch, and I congratulate you on a well-deserved victory.

The Championship brought together world-class players, regional talents and dedicated partners in a true collective effort to elevate the game and the region. I am deeply grateful for the commitment and collaboration that made this week such a success.”

Around the course, the atmosphere was electric. Huge crowds thronged KLGCC throughout the week, drawn by both the calibre of play and the spirit that surrounded it. The shared energy among players, fans and partners reflected the unity that continues to strengthen women’s golf across the region.

As the curtain falls on the 2025 edition, the Maybank Championship stands as a living expression of its purpose where competition, collaboration and community move in unison to advance the sport and inspire new ambitions across ASEAN.

For more information on the Maybank Championship, visit www.maybank.com/golf
For the complete leaderboard, visit www.lpga.com/tournaments/maybank-championship/leaderboard