KUALA LUMPUR: The weatherman said it all - the hottest spot in Malaysia on Friday (Oct 31) was in Kuala Lumpur, with temperatures reaching between 37 degrees Celsius to 42 degrees Celsius. And at the Maybank Championship, as the players turned in their cards starting from 12pm it was reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
The weatherman's report added that caution is advised due to dangerous heat, and outdoor activities should be limited, especially during peak afternoon hours. But that did not bother some of the best golfers in the world competing in the Maybank Championship.
In fact, they were rather cool about it all, and some even said they prefer the ground to be dry, as it helps them return excellent scores. And so far, that has been the calling in the first two days of the tournament as the golfers were returning high scores throughout the competition.
South Korean Choi Hye-jin has been at the top of the leaderboard with some excellent shots and swings, and she said the hot weather is not a bother at all. Hye-Jin continued to flex her muscles as she carded an impressive six-under 66 to stay five strokes ahead at the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC).
"The weather or anything else does not play a big part in the game. It also helps that I walked around the course with a big umbrella," said a cheerful Hye-jin after her rounds.
"So it also depends on the course, but the most important thing is also my shots. I don't try to think much, and I choose, and I just hit it. And so far the game plan is working."
"So compared to yesterday, it was hotter today, so I'm thinking that on the weekend, as I said yesterday, I'm going to try to keep my energy by resting a lot and just concentrating on my game. I just have to keep on going and make sure I reach the end in the best way.
"Normally, I drink a lot of water on the course. The best thing I'm working on is to eat a lot, and I just keep eating, yeah. And have the strength and be at my best to play my top game."
Hye-jin, who played on the South Korea team in last week's International Crown, had a 36-hole total of 14-under 130 on the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course. She started the day with a one-stroke lead and which marked the first time in her career that she had led after the first two rounds.
The 26-year-old Choi is winless on the LPGA tour but has 28 career top-10 finishes. She placed second at the 2017 US Women's Open as a 17-year-old amateur.
Meanwhile, defending champion Yin Ruoning of China stayed in the title hunt as she carded a five-under 67 today to be joint second with Australia's Hannah Green, who scored a three-under 69. Ruoning and Hannah have a two-day total of nine-under 135.
Ruoning, who scored a four-under 68 yesterday, was pleased with her overall performance and also said thanks to the immense support of the fans at KLGCC.
"I love this competition. Not just because I won last year, but it is a very comfortable place to play in. The fans are always wonderful to me, and this one is my favourite stop on the (LPGA) Tour," added Ruoning.
"The weather has been like this in this region. Sometimes, it is really hot, but most of us who play here are used to it. Being comfortable where you play is just as important. And I am very happy that my scores are good so far, and I am still in the mix for the title.
"Also, every time I come here and play, I can hear some, like Chinese fans, shouting my name. Just feels really good to have their support."
As for Aussie Hannah Green, she said she is used to playing in this region and also a big fact that she also won the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea and the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore last year.
Hannah is making a strong statement at the Maybank championship event, currently tied for second place after delivering a solid round.
"I'm just happy I'm consistent so far here, and it keeps me in contention as the tournament progresses. Yeah, I really enjoy coming to Asia.
"I think having the same time zone (with Australia) makes it helpful to be able to communicate with those back at home. I know these weeks can be some of the longest weeks of the year, so making sure I don't get too ahead of myself and take it easy and rest a little bit more than probably usual," said a happy Hannah, the 2019 Women's PGA Championship winner.
"I am also very happy that my husband (Jarryd Felton - also a pro golfer) also just flew in yesterday, so it's nice to have him here. I just really enjoy coming to Malaysia. It's, again, almost like my home event. It's only a six-hour flight from Perth, where I live. I also call this another home event.
"Yeah, it is hot. But really, I'm kinda used to the weather here. However, I'm also making sure I don't get too ahead of myself and take it easy and rest a little bit more than probably usual."
Paris Olympic Games and three-time Major champion, Lydia Ko, was also having a fine run so far, and she is very much in the mix for the title run. She is eight-under for the competition and tied-fourth.
"The course isn't particularly long and obviously, touch wood, we haven't had that much rain. That obviously makes the course a little bit more drier and your tee shots are going further. The hot weather is fine, actually," said the superstar golfer from New Zealand.
"The scores are very low here. In general, I think this is a good golf course where the tough holes aren't necessarily long. All the players here have also worked hard to compete at the fall Asia Swing, so it's going to be a lot of good golf.
"The next two days will be particularly very interesting, and we will see how things turn up on Sunday.
"On my game, I have just been trying to stay cool and keep my energy levels up. I think I'm going to probably play better being fresh than being overtired and fatigued. Yeah, just kind of stay in that mindset. I think there has been a lot of good, so hopefully just slowly sharpen things up."
