KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — South Korean golfer Hye-Jin Choi continues to dominate the Maybank Championship, maintaining a commanding four-stroke lead after an impressive 5-under 67 in the third round on Saturday. The 26-year-old, who has yet to secure her first LPGA Tour victory, now holds a 54-hole total of 19-under 197 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Choi, a seasoned player with 28 career top-10 finishes, including a runner-up spot at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur, started the day with a five-stroke advantage and solidified her position as the frontrunner. China’s Liu Yan trails in second place after a stellar 65, while Australia’s Hannah Green, fresh off her team’s victory at the International Crown, sits in third after a 67. A Lim Kim made significant strides with a 64, tying for fourth place, six strokes behind Choi. Kim’s round featured a remarkable 25-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole and six birdies. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, a two-time runner-up in Malaysia, also tied for fourth after a 65, crediting her strong finish and the enthusiastic support of her fans. Defending champion Yin Ruoning shot a 69, placing her in seventh place, seven strokes behind Choi. The LPGA’s five-week Asian swing concludes next week with the Japan Classic at Shiga.
Hye-Jin Choi maintains her tournament-long lead at LPGA Malaysia heading into the 4th round
