Confident Liyana jets off to Florida after solid show in KL

Strong play: Liyana Durisic tees off during the fourth round of the Maybank Championship last week. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Fresh off a week competing against some of the world’s elite at the recent Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Liyana Durisic will be looking to carry the momentum and confidence directly into the LPGA Q-Series qualifying stage at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Florida this weekend.

The Malaysian professional capped off a solid week at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, finishing tied for 66th with a 72-hole total of two-over 290 (67-73-76-74).

It was her best performance in her third career start in the LPGA Tour.

Liyana had opened in dramatic fashion, firing a bogey-free round of five-under 67 to surge up the leaderboard early.

Though the course proved challenging over the weekend, Liyana battled back with a steadying one-under performance on her final nine holes on Sunday to post a 74, drawing energy from the home crowd.

The strong showing in Malaysia provided a crucial confidence boost as Liyana immediately packed her bags for a long haul across the globe.

“If anything, I played five-under on the first day feeling super nervous,” Liyana noted regarding what she takes into the qualifiers.

“That means I can do it and if I just keep my head calm and focus on missing them in the right spots at the next course, I think I’m all set. There were still so many positives compared to last year and this year.

“I think I’m improving as a golfer, so I’m excited to just do better next week and hopefully end up playing this tour at some point.”

Liyana, a former collegiate star at Iowa State University, earned her entry into this week’s qualifying after navigating the LPGA Q-Series pre-qualifiers in California earlier this year.

Competing at Indian Wells Country Club, she posted rounds of 71, 70, and 72 for a three-under total of 213, finishing tied for 22nd to advance to the next stage.

Liyana will enter a competitive 72-hole stroke play in Florida.

The field includes 103 athletes that advance from pre-qualifying along 95 athletes with direct exemptions into this stage.

The stakes are high as the top 55 players and ties will advance to the LPGA Q-Series final qualifying stage set from 19–23 in Mobile, Alabama where LPGA Tour membership cards for the upcoming season will be officially awarded.