Thailand's Atthaya Jeeno Thitikul in action during the third round of the Maybank Championships on Saturday (Oct 26). She is in a three-way tie lead with her close friends Yin Ruoning of China and Ryu Hae-ran of South Korea. - The Star/ANN
THAI star Jeeno Thitikul lost a lengthy playoff at the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship in 2023. But on Saturday, she shot an 8-under 64 to leave her in a three-way tie for the lead after three rounds and with a chance to win the tournament outright this year.
Jeeno, a big favourite with the locals, incidentally shares the top shot with best friend Yin Ruoning and the duo this year had even teamed up to win the Dow Jones Championship – the LPGA Tour's only team format event – in June.
On top of that, the third player who is also on an impressive lead score of 16-under 200, is South Korean Ryu Hae-ran, and the rising star is also very close to the duo.
Jeeno after her rounds said she count both Roning and Hae-ran as very close friends.
"Me and Ruoning, I think everyone knows about us. Especially after the Dow Championships. But I'm also very close to Hae-ran. The three of us have known each other for some time. In fact, I see the three of us as part of a new generation energising the LPGA Tour," said the 21-year-old Jeeno.
"This past few weeks, we've played together a lot — not just Ruoning, but also Hae Ran.
"Playing the last round in KL with all my besties is more than I could ask for."
Best friends they all may be great chum on and off the course but come Sunday, all three will need to set aside their friendship as they vie for the Maybank Championship crown.
And fans can bet that all three have firmly set their eyes on the US$450,000 top prize and the iconic Tiger trophy.
Yin Ruoning of China. - The Star/ANN
But it will not be all the trio at KLGCC. An intriguing final-round battle certainly looms for fans with overnight leader Maja Stark of Sweden (70) just two shots off the pace, whilst defending champion Celine Boutier of France (68) and American Marina Alex (71) remain within striking distance at 12-under overall.
All eyes, however, will be mainly on Ruoning and Jeeno as they each pursue personal milestones. Both also have a big following here.
The Chinese star aims for her second title in three starts following her recent win at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
Meanwhile, Jeeno seeks redemption after her heartbreaking nine-hole playoff loss to Boutier last year.
Sharing the final group has both competitors excited, though they're keeping their competitive edge sharp.
"I won't think too much about winning," said Ruoning.
"I just want to go out, enjoy myself, and play my game, just like I did today and the last two days.
"Tomorrow with Jeeno will be fun. We've never played together in the final group before, so I don't know what to expect.
"We're besties, but on the course, of course, we both want to win."
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran talking to the media after her third round at the KLGCC, - The Star/Asia News Network.
Jeeno, seeking her first individual victory since 2022, shared her friend's enthusiasm.
"Having her (Ruoning) on the course in the same group, it's just make me more relax, we talk a lot," she said.
The Thai star also counts Hae Ran as someone who can turn the field with her skills and go all the way to the title.
"There are still so many of them in the race for the title. It is going to be one action-packed final day," said Jeeno. "It’s been like a heaven week, to be honest.
"You know, like KL (Kuala Lumpur) is close to Thailand and I feel like it's a second home here. All the fans cheering out here, it’s really nice and amazing to be here. And then also the golf course, it’s one of my favorites so far.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Boutier said that it will be a really close call come Sunday.
"Obviously it’s good to have memories and stuff, but also know I have to focus on what I’m doing and I feel like this course is pretty score-able so you have to go out there and be aggressive,” Boutier said.
"I will go all for those birdies. I just have to get few putts rolling. I think my game is close and the fact that I can still come back is always positive. It's also great many fans here are giving me a lot of support. I thank them all."
Maja Stark, having finished tied 20th will definitely also be aiming to finish higher and go all the way to the finishing line. She has been in good form over the last three days and has won many admirers with her skills and shots.
Hannah Green, who earned her third victory of 2024 and sixth of her career last week in South Korea, shot a 68 and was at 8-under, eight strokes behind. She was tied with Brooke Henderson, who shot a 66 on Saturday.
Leading third-round scores at the Maybank Championship played at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club:
200 - Atthaya Jeeno Thitikul (THA) 67-69-64, Yin Ruoning (CHN) 67-67-66, Ryu Hae-ran (KOR) 64-69-67;
202 - Maja Stark (SWE) 66-66-70;
204 - Celine Boutier (FRA) 67-69-68, Marina Alex (USA) 69-64-71;
205 - Wichanee Meechai (THA) 67-71-67, Liu Ruixin (CHN) 65-72-68, Hsu Wei Ling (TPE) 65-68-72;
206 - Mirabel Ting (MAS) (amateur) 67-75-64, Gabriela Ruffels (AUS) 69-66-71;
207 - Ashley Lau (MAS) 73-68-66, Bailey Tardy (USA) 69-70-68, Amy Yang (KOR) 66-71-70, Mao Saigo (JPN) 63-74-70, Bianca Pagdanganan (PHI) 70-66-71, Choi Hye Jin (KOR) 68-66-73; An Narin (KOR) 66-67-74;
208 - Brooke Henderson (CAN) 69-73-66, Hannah Green (AUS) 71-69-68, Lucy Li (USA) 69-70-69, Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) 69-70-69, Nataliya Guseva (RUS) 67-70-71, Kristen Gillman (USA) 66-70-72;
209 - Leona Maguire (IRL) 73-68-68, Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN) 72-69-68, Yuka Saso (JPN) 66-75-68, Linn Grant (SWE) 71-69-69, Ayaka Furue (JPN) 69-71-69, Jennifer Kupcho (USA) 67-73-69, Allisen Corpuz (USA) 70-69-70, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-68-72;
210 - Patty Tavatanakit (THA) 72-70-68, Yealimi Noh (USA) 71-69-70, Jasmine Suwannapura (THA) 69-71-70, Megan Khang (USA) 69-71-70, Peiyun Chien (TPE) 70-73-67;
211 - Jin Hee Im (KOR) 73-73-65, Esther Henseleit (GER) 72-73-66, Yuna Nishimura (JPN) 71-73-67, Arpichaya Yubol (THA) 72-71-68, Lilia Vu (USA) 74-68-69, Charley Hull (ENG) 72-70-69, Emily Kristine Pedersen (DEN) 69-71-71, Madelene Sagstrom (SWE) 68-72-71, Sarah Schmelzel (USA) 69-70-72, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 68-69-74;
212 - Gaby Lopez (MEX) 68-72-72;
213 - Hira Naveed (AUS) 70-75-68, Kim A Lim (KOR) 72-72-69, Ashleigh Buhai (RSA) 72-71-70, Lin Xiyu (CHN) 69-74-70, Grace Kim (AUS) 67-73-73, Minami Katsu (JPN) 66-74-73;
214 - Somi Lee (KOR) 74-70-70, Ssu Chia Cheng (TPE) 72-71-71, Linnea Strom (SWE) 71-72-71, Yu Jin Sung (KOR) 69-73-72, Georgia Hall (ENG) 69-72-73, Gemma Dryburgh (SCO) 67-71-76;
215 - Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 74-72-69, Angel Yin (USA) 71-74-70, Chayanit Wangmahaporn (THA) 72-70-73, Paula Reto (RSA) 67-75-73, Chanettee Wannasaen (THA) 67-70-78;
216 - Albane Valenzuela (SUI) 71-73-72;
218 - Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 71-72-75;
219 - Ryann O'Toole (USA) 76-73-70;
220 - Ko Jin Young (KOR) 70-78-72, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 72-73-75;
222 - Alexa Pano (USA) 69-74-79;
223 - Auston Kim (USA) 72-75-76;
225 - Kristina Natalia Yoko (INA) 77-76-72;
228 - Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri (INA) 75-79-74;
233 - Nur Durriyah Damian (MAS) 78-79-76;
236 - Liyana Durisic (MAS) 79-81-76.
