KUALA LUMPUR: Day one at the Maybank Championships started with a bang, with a flurry of birdies and super shots from the competing golfers, but there were no big names among the top three in the leaderboard. However, they are very much in the mix for glory.
And it was the brilliant Lydia Ko who led the way for the big guns. After day one, the New Zealand superstar golfer is in tied fourth position after returning an excellent six-under 66 score.
Apart from a bogey, Lydia sizzled with seven birdies, and she needed just 25 putts, tied for the fifth-fewest among the field on Thursday
“Yeah, I felt like I stayed really patient and tried to stay cool out there. Obviously, playing good golf is important, but I think just keeping your energy levels from hole 1 to 18 is just as important.
"I felt like I did that pretty well. So I am excited, I just want to be well-rested now and be energised for the next few days," said a happy Lydia after her round.
"It is also nice that my dad is around here to watch me play. He even told me that he likes to play in the course instead. He is enjoying his time here and has been shopping a lot. He really loves the place and even the clothes here.
"It is great to see him and my family members happy. It helps to push to play better here, too. He was with my sister in Singapore when I won the HSBC title in March.
"The fans were also amazing today (round one). They have really spurred me on. It is always great to play in this region; the fans here really give you much love, and I really appreciate that. "
Lydia shares the fourth spot with Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand, Japan's Miyu Yamashita, Aussie top golfer Hannah Green, Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad, Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol, and South Korean Somi Lee.
Hannah Green was also in fine form on Thursday, carding seven birdies and a bogey, while this year's AIG Women's Open champion, Miyu Yamashita, managed eight birdies only to be bogged down by two bogeys.
Meanwhile, the local charge was led by Mirabel Ting, who returned an impressive five-under 67 to grab a share of the tied-11th spot and is in the company of American top golfer Anger Yin.
Another Malaysian, Liyana Durisic, impressed with a four-under 68. She is in the tied-21 spot and in the company of illustrious players, which includes World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, twice runner-up in the tournament, and also defending champion Yin Ruoning of China.
Meanwhile, Grace Kim, another Major winner in 2025, is one step lower with a three-under 69 and is in the tied-32nd spot group, which includes Malaysians Ashley Lau, Genevieve Ling, and Kelly Tan.
English sensation Lottie Woad and American top name Lilia Vu, meanwhile, are one step lower at two-under 70.
It is also interesting to note that only 15 golfers returned over-scores at the par-72 golf course on day one, thus ensuring a superb start to the tournament and surely promising more top action and heart-stopping moments in the next three days of competition.
