KUALA LUMPUR: Five exciting golf talents earned Sponsor’s Invitations to the upcoming Maybank Championship 2026 through the Asean Qualifier, which concluded on Wednesday (Aug 12) at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC).
Two days of intense tournament golf ended with a dramatic three-way tie at the top, as Thai amateurs Sarisa Pojanalai and Achiraya Sriwong, and their professional compatriot Pimnipa Panthong finished with a total score of four-under-par 140. Pojanalai produced a stellar showing in Round 2 of the Maybank Championship 2026 Asean Qualifier, carding a tournament-low score of six-under-par 66 that included eight birdies.
Sriwong, who also qualified for the Maybank Championship last year, continued her fine form on the West Course, shooting a four-under-par 68 in the second round. Panthong, meanwhile, closed her campaign with a three-under-par 69.
Marisa Tojai, another Thai amateur, secured the fourth qualifying spot with a two-under-par 142total. There were huge cheers for Malaysia's Liyana Durisic, who took the fifth and final qualifying spot with a total of one-under-par 143, thus ensuring her qualification for the prestigious event.
This will be Liyana’s third start in the Maybank Championship. Fittingly, she was part of the Maybank Champions Academy in 2014, an intensive junior development programme that helped kick-start her journey to elite golf.
Liyana said after her rounds that she feels blessed to have clinched the fifth and final ticket to the US$3mil (RM12.26mil) Maybank Championship tournament after closing with a two-under 70 at the Asean Qualifier at the KLGCC.
Her total of one-under 143 was enough to edge Thailand's Namo Luangnitikul by a single stroke and, more importantly, earned Liyana a third successive appearance in the 78-player elite field.
"I've never been so happy for a fifth place before, so yeah, I'm really happy. I'm relieved that I didn't have to go for a playoff because that would have added more stress.
"I kind of knew I was either going to be right on the dot or I was going to have to go for a playoff, so I'm really relieved to get through the qualifier and qualify for the main event," said Liyana.
It was hardly a straightforward final round for the 25-year-old, who started the day on one-over after an opening 73 on Tuesday.
Liyana stormed to five-under through her first nine holes on the West Course, putting herself firmly inside the qualifying positions, before surrendering three shots on the inward nine.
She added that thoughts of completing a bogey-free round had briefly flashed through her head.
"I was five-under through nine holes, and I was really happy with it. I was really keeping my head steady, and then it kind of got to me that I hadn't had any bogeys yet," she said.
"I was like, 'Liyana, do not think about bogeys. Just keep your head down and make pars. You don't have to be a hero or anything. I'm really happy that 70 was good enough today, but if I could rewind the day, 70 wouldn't have been the score I wanted."
She added that this will be her third straight appearance at the Maybank Championship, but there is added satisfaction this time after she earned her place through the Asean Qualifier for the second time.
She also qualified on merit in 2024, shortly after turning professional, before finishing 74th in the main event. Liyana failed to secure one of the qualifying spots last year but subsequently received a sponsor's exemption and went on to finish joint 72nd.
Ng Jing Xuen, the 2023 SEA Games champion, was the next best Malaysian on 147 after rounds of 74 and 73.
The Maybank Championship Asean Qualifier is a cornerstone of Maybank’s commitment to strengthening regional capability, championing inclusivity and deepening Asean integration through sport.
The 2026 edition of the Maybank Championship Asean Qualifier drew a record field of 78 players from five nations across South-East Asia – up from 69 in 2025, and 35 in the inaugural 2024 edition.
The yearly increase in participation speaks volumes for the tournament as a showcase for the growing ambition and talent of women golfers across the region. Established in 2024, the Qualifier is a merit-based platform open to professionals and elite amateurs aged 14 and above from eleven Asean nations and remains the premier pathway for South-East Asian talents to compete alongside the LPGA's best.
For the record, the top five finishers earn Sponsor's Invitations to play at the Maybank Championship 2026 at KLGCC from 29th October – 1st November. The Maybank Championship is a top-class golf tournament sanctioned by the LPGA, bringing together the best players at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). Tickets for the tournament are on sale now at www.maybank.com/golf
The Championship features a significant prize purse, a strong international field and an engaging spectator experience. The tournament continues to provide a platform for opportunity and achievement in South-East Asia. The Asean Qualifier was introduced in 2024 to provide a merit-based pathway for regional talent to compete in the tournament. The 2026 edition of the Maybank Championship will take place at KLGCC from October 29 to November 1, 2026.
The Leaderboard (Final round)
140: Sarisa Pojanalai (a) 74-66; Achiraya Sriwong (a) 72-68; Pimnipa Panthong 71-69 (all qualified)
142: Marisa Tojai (a) 71-71 (Qualified)
143: Liyana Durisic 73-70 (Qualified)
144: Namo Luangnitikul (a) 73-71
145: Phisitkhwan Pooratanaopa 73-72; Natachanok Tunwannarux (a) 77-69
146: Kultida Pramphun 72-74; Kornkanok Sungpankhao 75-72
147: Ng Jing Xuen 74-73; Angel Thongaram 74-73; Chanelle Avaricio 73-74 ; Patricia Walanda Sinolungan 69-78
(Note: Tournament Breakdown: 78 players: Professionals — 42; Amateurs — 36; By Country: Thailand — 42; Malaysia — 23; Indonesia — 5; Philippines — 5; Singapore — 3)
