Yamashita creates history with Maybank Championship title defence

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysia's rising star in golf, Mirabel Ting, claimed the top spot among her countrymen at the Maybank Championship held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Sunday. Despite facing challenges throughout her game, she concluded with an under-par final round, securing a tied 48th place on five-under-par 283 and earning a prize money of US$11,392 (RM46,231).

The 21-year-old Sarawakian acknowledged that it was a challenging day, particularly when putts failed to drop, but emphasized that finishing under par was a positive outcome. She stated that her primary focus was not on being the best Malaysian, but on delivering her best performance, maintaining a solid routine, and making progress.

Mirabel, who has secured her LPGA Tour playing rights for the upcoming season, is already planning her rookie campaign, which includes tournaments in China, an Australian warm-up swing, and competing alongside her sister on the LPGA Tour. Reflecting on her week, she reiterated her aspiration to represent Malaysia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she hopes to secure the country's first golf medal.

Fellow Malaysian LPGA professional Natasha Andrea Oon also found renewed confidence following a challenging year, finishing tied for 56th on two-under-par 286 and earning US$8,693. After a sluggish start on Thursday and Friday, Natasha cited her improved ball-striking to reviewing swing footage on a driving-range tablet with her caddie.

She playfully referred to herself as an "iPad kid" on the driving range. Natasha expressed that the support of the home crowd was deeply meaningful, especially after a tough year of travel, allowing her to reconnect with familiar faces and not worry about a cut. The story also covered Kelly Tan, a two-time Olympian, who concluded her professional tour career with a retirement announcement after 13 years on tour.

She finished tied for 75th on six-over-par 294, earning US$5,628. Liyana Durisic, who led the Malaysian charge on Thursday, ended the tournament tied for 66th with two-over-par 290, earning US$6,596. Genevieve Ling finished in 76th with nine-over-par 297, earning US$5,556.