England’s Charley Hull is four shots behind the leader following the second round of the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia. Hull opened her round strongly with five birdies in her first six holes to claim the lead, but dropped shots with bogeys on two of her final three holes to finish with a 69, leaving her tied for fifth place.
Yamashita Claims the Lead
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita posted a six-under 66 in Kuala Lumpur to secure a two-stroke advantage, reaching 13 under par overall after two rounds. Following her round, Yamashita stated that her game is in superior shape compared to last year and noted that her swing feels very good. Julia Lopez Ramirez carded a 66 after birdieing three of her final four holes, tying for second place alongside Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who held a one-shot lead after the opening round. Discussing the weather, Lopez Ramirez emphasized the importance of maintaining mental composure and hydration amidst the high humidity in Kuala Lumpur. A Lim Kim produced the lowest score of the day with a 64, placing her in fourth position and three shots back from Yamashita.
Tournament Developments and Coverage
Haeran Ryu withdrew prior to her opening tee time due to a strained finger ligament sustained while riding in a golf cart during the Wednesday pro-am. Ryu entered the event as the highest-ranked competitor due to the absence of world number one Nelly Korda and number two Jeeno Thitikul. Meanwhile, Yuri Yoshida finished her Friday round with a 70 to stand at five under par. Live broadcasting of the tournament resumes on Saturday morning across Sky Sports channels.
