25 Sep 2024

World No 1 Nelly Korda is among marquee names at the Maybank Championship.

Golf fans are in for a feast of world-class golf when the elite players of the ladies’ game return to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) from 24 to 27 October for the Maybank Championship 2024.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States is among the many marquee names who have signed up for the US$3 million championship, which is the largest purse of any Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event in Asia.

This year’s star-studded line-up also features defending champion Celine Boutier of France and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, the valiant protagonists in last year’s epic nine-hole playoff won by the former at KLGCC’s highly rated West Course.

The other leading players in the 78-player field include World No. 2 Lilia Vu, Japan’s top golfer and 2024 Amundi Evian Championship winner Ayaka Furue, former World No 1 Ruoning Yin of China, and popular Canadian Brooke Henderson who has two major titles to her name. Also set to tee it up at KLGCC are Korean Amy Yang, who won this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, her much decorated compatriot Jin Young Ko, two-time US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of Japan, and Australia’s leading player Hannah Green.

The elite list will be joined by five of ASEAN’s best who got into the starting lineup through a special ASEAN qualifier. The five include Ida Ayu Indira Melati Putri and Kristina Natalia Yoko from Indonesia, Chayanit Wangmahaporn from Thailand, Malaysia’s Liyana Durisic and Nur Durriyah Damian.

Each boasting an impressive golf CV and global fanbase, these players will thrill fans with their exceptional skills as they battle it out for the coveted Tiger Trophy.

Dato’ Khairussaleh Ramli, President and Group CEO of Maybank, emphasised the championship’s role in promoting inclusivity and fostering talent across the ASEAN region. “The Maybank Championship continues to be a showcase of world-class talent, reinforcing our dedication to making golf more accessible while fostering growth in the community. More than just a competition, the platform serves as a driver of economic development and bears testament to our ongoing commitment to empowering the region.”

One of the world’s most popular players since bursting onto the world stage as a teenager more than a decade ago, Ko is enjoying a career renaissance with an exceptional season that includes a gold medal at the Paris Olympics in August. She secured her third major title just two weeks later at the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews. A 21-time LPGA Tour winner, Ko notched her previous two major victories at the 2015 Amundi Evian Championship and 2016 Chevron Championship.

Korda finished tied 6^th at last year’s Maybank Championship and will once again be among the heavy favourites for the title, having enjoyed a superb 2024 season. The American star won the 2024 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award for most outstanding record in all five major championships during the season with a T2 finish at the AIG Women’s Open, her 12^th career top 10 performance in a major.

Earlier this year, Korda won The Chevron Championship to claim her second career major title and fifth straight victory of 2024, which tied the record for most consecutive Tour wins in tournaments participated. She added a sixth season win and 14^th career LPGA title at the Mizuho Americas Open, which put her in the history books as just the fourth player in LPGA Tour history to win six or more times in a season before the end of May.

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan voiced her appreciation to Maybank for sharing the tour’s commitment to growing the game.

“This year’s Maybank Championship is an important part of the LPGA Tour’s global calendar, and a crucial part of our second Asian swing,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “We are proud to partner with Maybank, whose unwavering commitment to growing opportunities for women in golf and aligns with our mission to inspire and empower girls and women, both on and off the course, worldwide. We look forward to another unforgettable week of competition in Kuala Lumpur and thank Maybank for their tremendous partnership.”

The Maybank Championship is a no-cut event, which ensures that fans will be able to see their favourite players in action on all four days. Ticketing options include the RM38 Weekday Pass (entry for Thursday and Friday), RM68 Weekend Pass (entry for Saturday and Sunday), and RM88 Season Pass (entry for all four days).

In line with the championship’s inclusivity objective, children under 12 enjoy free entry. Maybank Cardholders (Debit, Credit & Charge Cards) and MAE App users are also entitled to free entry. For more information and ticket bookings, visit http://maybank.my/golf.