KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul may be skipping the Asian swing to recover from a long season, but a star-studded international field is still set to battle for the US$3mil (RM12.3mil) purse at the Maybank Championship this week.
With the top two absent, the race for the US$450,000 (RM1.84mil) winner's cheque is wide open, with several former champions eyeing another title on Malaysian soil.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita of Japan, 2024 winner Yin Ruoning of China and inaugural champion Celine Boutier of France are among the leading contenders.
No player has successfully defended the Maybank Championship title, but Ruoning is hoping to break that jinx after arriving in Malaysia in fine form, having won the FM Championship and Buick LPGA Shanghai in recent weeks.
The Chinese golfer was unaware of the record until it was brought up during her pre-tournament briefing, but she is eager to make history.
"I did not know that before you told me, but I think that means a lot if I'm the first repeat winner.
"I think that's my goal for this week as well. As I said, my game feels good, so I have a lot of confidence to have another good week, and hopefully I can sit in here on Sunday," said Ruoning, a seven-time LPGA Tour winner.
Ruoning also credited her background as a competitive basketball player for helping her trust her instincts, particularly on the greens.
"I'm a shooter, so I would say for the long putts and short game, sometimes I just look at the target, look at where I want the ball to land, and just react. I think that's from basketball," she added.
Boutier, who won the Shoprite LPGA title earlier this year, is also looking to add to her tally. The Frenchwoman believes strategic ball placement will be crucial to scoring well on the course.
"This is a course that doesn’t necessarily mean you can drive anywhere. It’s very strategic. I think it’s all about placement because there are a lot of bunkers and run-out areas. So, you have to place the ball well and then from there just give yourself the most opportunities that you can," said Boutier, currently ranked 37th in the world.
