Spain's Carlota Ciganda.
FIRST it was three and then there were two. Women golfers keep impressing the fans in the Maybank Championships played at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in the final round on Sunday.
Three golfers achieved the rare Hole-In-One feat on Saturday and fans saw another two more amazing shots on Sunday.
The superb show all began when Denmark's Emily Kristine Pedersen, American Kristen Gillman, and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist each aced the par-three 4th hole from 88 metres on Saturday.
On Sunday, Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Taiwan's Hsu Wei-ling joined the ace club on the par-three 11th hole from 110 metres.
The remarkable feat of five holes-in-one came close to matching the LPGA tournament's record of six, set at the 1999 Mercury Titleholders Championship.
Taiwan's Hsu Wei-ling.
And that rare feat also meant the Maybank Championships ensured a total of US$100,000 (RM435,000) given to charity.
Through the 'Score 1 For St. Jude' initiative', the LPGA Tour's main sponsor, CME Group, donates US$20,000 (RM86,800) for each hole-in-one during the season.
The two additional aces brought the Maybank Championship's contribution to US$100,000, raising the season's total to US$520,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee.
Taiwanese Hsu was ecstatic with her hole-in-one effort.
"It is really special. This is my first ever ace. And I did it in a LPGA tournament. I'm not going to forget this course for a long, long time," said a happy Hsu.
"What is more important is that my effort actually helps people. It is a great thing what LPGA is doing and helping the needy. I'm happy to be part of that."
The effort, however, was not new for Carlota. It was her fifth hole-in-one effort in her career.
"Yup, I did it five times already. Three times as a pro and twice when I was an amateur. It is a great feeling all the time," said Carlota.
"Even better feeling when we do it in the LPGA. Yeah, very happy to contribute to a great cause. Always happy to help those people in need.
Very happy for that."
