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.