Hyejin Choi Finishes Runner-Up Again After Playoff Loss

Playoff Battle with Yamashita and Green at the Maybank Championship
Finishes Tied for Second After Making Par on First Playoff Hole
Rookie Yamashita Claims Come-From-Behind Victory for Second Win of the Season

Hyejin Choi was unable to break her winless streak once again.

On November 2, at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,536 yards) in Malaysia, during the fourth round of the Maybank Championship-the third event of the LPGA Asian Swing with a total prize fund of 3 million dollars-Choi shot a 1-over-par 73. She allowed a tie at 18-under-par 270 with Miyu Yamashita (Japan) and Hannah Green (Australia), and then only managed par on the first playoff hole, the 18th (par 5). Victory went to Yamashita, who made a birdie on that hole.

Debuting on the LPGA Tour in 2022, Hyejin Choi was unable to achieve her first win even in her 123rd tournament. After securing nine victories on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour and moving to the U.S. circuit, she currently holds the top spot in career earnings among players without a win on the LPGA Tour.

Hyejin Choi is disappointed after missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole of the 4th round at the Maybank Championship. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ? Photo by AP Yonhap News

Choi had built anticipation for her first victory by leading from rounds one to three, but narrowly missed her opportunity. After holding a four-shot lead over second place through three rounds, Choi swapped a birdie on the 8th hole (par 3) for a bogey on the 9th (par 4) and failed to reduce her score, allowing her pursuers to close the gap to two strokes. On the 10th hole (par 5), her tee shot pulled significantly left, resulting in another bogey and reducing her lead to one stroke. On the 11th hole (par 3), Green, playing in the same group, made a birdie to catch up and share the lead.

Midway through the round, a fierce battle unfolded as five players, including Yamashita, Kim Arim, and Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), shared the lead. While Green and Yamashita surged ahead, play was suspended for about an hour due to lightning as the final group was on the 14th hole (par 4). After play resumed, Choi made a rare birdie on the 16th hole (par 4), rejoining the leaders and keeping her title hopes alive.

On the 18th hole (par 5), tied at 18-under with Yamashita, who had finished earlier, Choi’s birdie putt drifted just right, sending the tournament into a playoff. In the first playoff on the 18th hole, Choi’s tee shot again pulled left and landed near the 10th hole. Play was interrupted again by inclement weather, resuming about an hour later. Choi’s second shot went toward the 10th hole teeing ground, but she recovered with a good third shot onto the green, though she could not make the birdie.

Miyu Yamashita is hitting an iron shot on the 17th hole of the 4th round at the Maybank Championship. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ? Photo by AP

Yamashita showcased her finishing strength with a 7-under-par 65 on the day. In the first playoff hole, she sank a challenging mid-range birdie putt to clinch a come-from-behind victory. A rookie on the LPGA Tour this year, Yamashita claimed her second win following the AIG Women’s Open, a major, in August. She earned a winner’s prize of 450,000 dollars (approximately 640 million won). Yamashita became the second player this season to achieve two wins on the LPGA Tour, following Thitikul.

Kim Seyoung, winner of the previous BMW Championship, shot a 6-under to tie for fourth place (17-under-par 271), joined by Kim Arim and world number one Thitikul. Lydia Ko (New Zealand) and Ayaka Furue (Japan) tied for ninth (16-under-par 272), while rookie Yoon Yina, who has yet to record a top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour, finished 11th (15-under-par 273).