Ruoning rises with red-hot front nine

Don’t mess with me: Yin Ruoning of China plotting her next move during the second round of the Maybank Championship.

PETALING JAYA: Defending champion Yin Ruoning made her charge to occupy second place at the halfway mark of the Maybank Championship with a five-under 67.

The world No. 4 produced a masterful front nine, highlighted by four straight birdies, to climb 19 places and finish the day at nine-under 135, tied with Australia’s Hannah Green (69). The only blemish in her second round play were two bogeys on the 11th and 17th holes.

South Korean Choi Hye-jin has a five-stroke lead over Ruoning at the top.

Ruoning was outside the top 20 after a first round of four-under 68 on Thursday and attributed her performance to the good vibes she received from the crowd that thronged the greens at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

“I guess I just love to come back to Malaysia to play. The crowd is just amazing, and their support really lifts me,” said Ruoning.

“I lost a bit of focus on the two bogeys, but overall, it was a solid day. My game feels sharper with each round – especially my putting, which is starting to come together.”

Ruoning will be leaving nothing to chance in the last two rounds and believes she needs to produce low numbers. I

“Patience will be key. I’m taking it one shot at a time,” she said.

“If I can keep posting five-under rounds, I’ll be in a good position. And if I can go lower, even better,” said Ruoning, who defeated Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul to claim the title last year.