Current Malaysian number one professional Ashley Lau saw herself climbing up the leaderboard with a four-under-par 68 in round two of the Maybank Championship.
Starting from the 10th of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club's West Course, Lau had a steady start with two birdies and two bogeys in her first 11 holes.
"It felt like I was having a slow start even when I was one-under in the front nine," said Lau.
"I was getting a little frustrated out there, just a little impatient. But my caddie told me to stay patient out there. You have many more holes to go, so I did that and then birdies started coming," she added.
The 24-year-old surged with a blazing stretch of four birdies on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th in her final seven holes to card in a 68 and move up 27 spots on the leaderboard.
On track to improving her standing from last year's inaugural edition of the Maybank Championship, Lau remains committed to her game plan.
"There's not going to be much changes, just going to take more advantage of the shorter holes and try to be more conservative by hitting it to the middle of the green," she noted.
Amateur sensation Mirabel Ting returned with a second round of three-over-par 75 to be one shot behind compatriot Lau. Ting's two-day aggregate of two-under-par 142 puts her in T44 alongside her playing partner Paula Reto of South Africa, Canada's Brooke Henderson, and South Korean duo Yu Jin Song and Somi Lee.
The 18-year-old had a challenging day, marked by three bogeys and a double bogey across her first 14 holes, but rallied with birdies on the 15th and 17th. Reflecting on her birdie on the 15th, Ting expressed her relief.
"I was telling my caddie, if this putt doesn't go in I don't know what to do. I was really, really frustrated, and when that putt dropped I told myself, that's the first birdie of the day," shared the Florida State University junior.
Despite today’s rollercoaster round, Ting is staying optimistic about the next two rounds.
"At the end of the day this is golf. Like it happens. Bad days happen, just have to see what's going to happen again tomorrow," said Ting.
The remaining Malaysians, Durriyah Damian, and Liyana Durisic, posted rounds of 79 and 81, placing them 75th and 76th, respectively.
At the top, Sweden’s Maja Stark claimed the outright lead, following up her first-round 66 with another six-under-par 66 to reach 12-under-par for the tournament. Overnight leader Mao Saigo slipped to T13 after a second-round two-over-par round, bringing her to seven-under-par.
Be sure to catch all the excitement and stars during the Maybank Championship this weekend, taking place from October 24 to 27.
Complimentary entries are available for children under 12, as well as Maybank Cardholders (Debit, Credit & Charge Cards) and MAE App users.
For more information and ticket bookings, visit http://www.maybank.com/championship
