Last year's playoff loser Thitikul tied for the lead after 3 rounds at LPGA Malaysia

Jeeno Thitikul mislaid a lengthy playoff astatine nan LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship successful 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Jeeno Thitikul mislaid a lengthy playoff astatine nan LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship successful 2023. On Saturday she changeable an 8-under 64 to time off her successful a three-way necktie for nan lead aft 3 rounds and pinch a chance to triumph nan tourney outright this year.

The Thai subordinate had a three-round full of 16-under 200 connected nan Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course. She was tied pinch Ruoning Yin (66) and Haeran Ryu (67) going into Sunday's last round.

Last twelvemonth Thitikul mislaid successful a playoff to Celine Boutier of France. The 2 players tied for first spot astatine 21-under par, past played a nine-hole playoff which nan French subordinate won. The playoff tied for nan second-longest successful LPGA Tour history.

“It’s been for illustration a eden week, to beryllium honest,” Thitikul said Saturday. “You know, for illustration KL (Kuala Lumpur) is adjacent to Thailand and I consciousness for illustration it's a 2nd location here. All nan fans cheering retired here, it’s really bully and astonishing to beryllium here. And past besides nan play course, it’s 1 of my favorites truthful far.”

Second-round leader Maja Stark changeable 70 and was successful 4th place, 2 down nan leaders. Defending champion Boutier was 4 strokes down Thitikul aft a 68 and tied for 5th pinch American Marina Alex (71).

“Obviously it’s bully to person memories and stuff, but besides cognize I person to attraction connected what I’m doing and I consciousness for illustration this people is beautiful score-able truthful you person to spell retired location and beryllium aggressive,” Boutier said.

Hannah Green, who earned her 3rd triumph of 2024 and sixth of her profession past week successful South Korea, changeable a 68 and was astatine 8-under, 8 strokes behind. She was tied pinch Brooke Henderson, who changeable 66 Saturday.

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