Thailand's Namo Luangnitikul blazed the course en route to seizing the second round lead at the ASEAN Templer Park CC 39th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Phuket native carded seven birdies in a scintillating round of 66 to open up a five-shot advantage on six-under-par at the Templer Park Country Club.
Overnight leader Zi Yu rued a late collapse as back-to-back bogeys on the 17th and 18th saw her settle for an even-par 72 effort to sit second on one-under-par.
Another Thai, Kanyarak Pongpithanon, was third on even-par following a second consecutive 72, while Malaysia's Wang Xin Yao was a shot back following a 72 of her own.
Luangnitikul was hot off the blocks, trading three birdies against a bogey to make the turn on 34. Following another gain on the 10th, she turned on the heat in her final five holes with three birdies to pull away from the chasing pack.
"Pleasantly surprised with my round today. I wasn't hitting as many greens on the front nine, but I found some rhythm with my approach shots after the turn and just drained some big putts coming home. Happy with my putting on the back nine and hopefully, I can carry that form to tomorrow's final round," said Luangnitikul.
With three runner-up finishes at the ANNIKA Invitational, Thailand Ladies Amateur Open and the Vietnam Amateur Open in recent months, Luangnitikul is hopeful of breaking the duck and claiming a regional amateur championship crown.
"My game has been trending positively recently, and I've come close to winning in several championships. I'm feeling good about my game and I'm just going to try my best tomorrow," she added.
Foong, on the other hand, believes she has her work cut out as she seeks to continue Malaysia's winning run in the championship.
"Today was hard. My ball striking was good but had a couple of holes where if the putts had dropped, the scoreline would have been a lot different. I know it's not the finish I wanted, but in golf anything can happen, and I'm going to turn my attention to the final round tomorrow and come back stronger," said the 20-year-old University of Nevada, Las Vegas sophomore.
Conducted by the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA), the 39th edition of the prestigious annual championship boasts 80 participants from eight ASEAN nations as well as seven other Asia-Pacific countries.
Holding a C-rating on the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), the championship is recognised as the highest-ranked women's amateur golf tournament in Malaysia.
In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the Ministry of Youth & Sports Malaysia (KBS), through Perbadanan Padang Golf Subang (PPGS), is proud to collaborate with MALGA in co-organising this year's championship in line with Malaysia's commitment to strengthening regional integration and solidarity through sports.
At its core, the championship aims to foster the spirit of sportsmanship, unity and mutual understanding - values central to ASEAN co-operation.
Templer Park Country Club - a long-time supporter of amateur golf in the country - marks its third and final year as the title sponsor and host venue of the championship.
Leading second round scores (Par-72)
138 - Namo Luangnitikul (THA) 72-66
143 - Foong Zi Yu (MAS) 71-72
144 - Kanyarak Pongpithanon (THA) 72-72
145 - Wang Xin Yao (MAS) 73-72
147 - Elaine Widjaja (INA) 74-73
148 - Anjanette Tan (SGP) 78-70, Arnie Pauline Taguines (PHI) 76-72, Sydnie Ng (SGP) 72-76
149 - Samantha Marie-Albert Dizon (PHI) 75-74
150 - Rayi Geulis Zullandari (INA) 76-74, Ting-Hsuan Huang (TPE) 76-74
