Japan rookie Mao Saigo outshines an illustrious field to take a one-shot lead at Maybank Championship

Japan's Mao Saigo carded an impressive nine-under-par 63 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Thursday (Oct 24). - The Star/Asia News Network

ON a hot sunny day when the big names struggled to tame the course, rookie Mao Saigo carded an impressive nine-under-par 63 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the LPGA Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Also impressive was South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran who shot shot a 64, with Liu Ruixin of China and Taiwan's Hsu Wei-ling placed at tied third with matching 65s.

Six players were tied for fifth a further shot back including double major winner Yuka Saso.

The day however belonged to the 23-year-old Saigo, who had 10 birdies against a lone bogey under clear skies at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

"The course is difficult because there is so much up and down, but I am enjoying myself playing here," said Saigo, who is in her first season on the LPGA Tour.

"I will now take a good rest and recover and be ready for the coming three rounds."

Saigo carded six birdies on the front nine and continued the hot streak with a further two on the 10th and 11th holes.

Another steady birdie putt on the 15th, followed with a final one on the 16th, and the Japanese looked poised to finish with a flawless scorecard.

Saigo bogeyed the following hole but was pleased with her overall performance.

"I made a lot of middle-length putts and that's how I played really well," she said.

Ryu, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, finished her opening round with consecutive birdies for a blemish-free scorecard.

"Today my putting is good, better than last week," said the 23-year-old Korean.

"I made a lot of birdies and I am happy. I just need to be more comfortable with my shots and putting. That's my mindset."

Meanwhile, Amy Yang, the South Korean top golfer and the 2024 Women's PGA Championship winner, was also in the mix with the top leaders after returning a six-under 66 and was at tied sixth position together with Sweden's Maja Stark, fellow South Korean An Na-rin, American Kristen Gillman together with Japan's Saso and Minami Katsu.

Amy said she was pleased with her efforts on the first day: "You know, technical-wise my putting worked really well out there. Was hitting it pretty solid out there. Gave myself lots of good chances. And I took most them. But what I need to do for the next three days is to stay focused and a good result will come."

She added that the KLGCC course was in excellent condition.

"It's just a great a great golf course. You know, I love the condition of this golf course. Fans were also very nice and warm weather was great for golf. I always preferred this kind weather for golf as cold ones are a bit uncomfortable," said Amy Yang.

First-round scored Thursday at the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur golf and Country Club, Malaysia (par 72):

63 - Mao Saigo (JPN)

64 - Ryu Hae-ran (KOR)

65 - Hsu Wei-ling (TPE), Liu Ruixin (CHN)

66 - Maja Stark (SWE), Minami Katsu (JPN), Yuka Saso (JPN), Amy Yang (KOR), Kristen Gillman (USA), An Na-rin (KOR)

67 - Natalia Guseva (RUS), Celine Boutier (FRA), Grace Kim (AUS), Jennifer Kupcho (USA), Gemma Dryburgh (SCO), Paula Reto (RSA), Chanettee Wannasaen (THA), Wichanee Meechai (THA), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Yin Ruoning (CHN), Mirabel Ting (MAS)

68 - Madelene Sagstrom (SWE), Moriya Jutanugarn (THA), Gabriela Lopez (MEX), Choi Hye-jin (KOR)

69 - Sung Yu-jin (KOR), Emily Pedersen (DEN), Gabriela Ruffels (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN), Marina Alex (USA), Megan Khang (USA), Bailey Tardy (USA), Lucy Li (USA), Alexa Pano (USA), Sarah Schmelzel (USA), Ariya Jutanugarn (THA), Thidapa Suwannapura (THA), Georgia Hall (ENG), Ayaka Furue (JPN), Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA), Lin Xiyu (CHN)

70 - Bianca Pagdanganan (PHI), Chien Pei-yun (TPE), Allisen Corpuz (USA), Hira Naveed (AUS), Ko Jin-young (KOR)

71 - Hannah Green (AUS), Albane Valenzuela (SUI), Angel Yin (USA), Yealimi Noh (USA), Nasa Hataoka (JPN), Yuna Nishimura (JPN), Linnea Strom (SWE), Linn Grant (SWE)

72 - Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Patty Tavatanakit (THA), Cheng Ssu-chia (TPE), Charley Hull (ENG), Ashleigh Buhai (RSA), Arpichaya Yubol (THA), Chayanit Wangmahaporn (THA), Auston Kim (USA), Kim A-lim (KOR), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN), Esther Henseleit (GER)

73 - Leona Maguire (IRL), Shin Jenny (KOR), Im Jin-hee (KOR), Ashley Lau (MAS)

74 - Lee Somi (KOR), Lilia Vu (USA), Carlota Ciganda (ESP)

75 - Ida Ayu Melati (INA)

76 - Ryann O'Toole (USA)

77 - Kristina Natalia Yoko (INA)

78 - Nur Durriyah Damian (MAS)

79 - Liyana Durisic (MAS)

Wihdrawn: Alison Lee (USA)