2025 Maybank Championship Final Leaderboard - Yamashita Miyu Claims Playoff Victory - Global Golf Shop

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In one of the most thrilling finishes of the 2025 LPGA season, Japan's rising star Yamashita Miyu staged an incredible comeback from 8 strokes behind to capture the Maybank Championship title in a playoff at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club on November 2nd. Meanwhile, Choi Hye-jin's quest for her maiden LPGA victory ended in heartbreak as she squandered a commanding 4-shot lead heading into the final round, ultimately falling to Yamashita in a sudden-death playoff after both finished at 18-under-par 270.

2025 Maybank Championship Final Leaderboard - Yamashita Miyu Claims Playoff Victory

⛳ Tournament Overview

The 2025 Maybank Championship, featuring a $3 million purse, took place from October 30th through November 2nd at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 6,536 yards) in Malaysia. As the third stop of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing, this 72-hole stroke play event attracted 78 competitors from around the world, with no cut applied throughout the four rounds.

Weather played a significant role in Sunday's finale, with lightning delays interrupting play twice during the final round. The drama peaked when Choi, Yamashita, and Hannah Green of Australia all finished at 18-under, forcing a playoff that would ultimately crown Japan's newest LPGA champion. 🌩️

🏆 Yamashita's Stunning Rally to Victory

Historic 8-Shot Comeback

The 24-year-old Japanese sensation delivered one of the most remarkable final rounds of the season, firing a bogey-free 7-under 65 to erase an 8-stroke deficit. Starting the day in a tie for 11th place, Yamashita went on a birdie binge with seven red numbers on her scorecard, methodically closing the gap on leader Choi Hye-jin throughout Sunday's play.

Second LPGA Victory of Rookie Campaign

This victory marks Yamashita's second LPGA title in her debut season, following her major championship breakthrough at the AIG Women's Open in July. The Osaka native, who dominated the JLPGA Tour with 13 wins before earning her LPGA card by finishing first at Q-Series, currently leads the Rookie of the Year race and has firmly established herself among the tour's elite players.

Clutch Performance in Sudden Death

When the tournament moved to the playoff hole (the par-5 18th), Yamashita displayed remarkable composure under pressure. She rolled in a curling 6-meter birdie putt to seal the victory, while both Choi and Green could only manage par. The winning moment came after another weather delay, showcasing Yamashita's mental fortitude in challenging conditions. 💪

😢 Choi Hye-jin's Devastating Final Round Meltdown

From Commanding Lead to Playoff Loss

After playing flawless golf through 54 holes and building a seemingly insurmountable 4-shot advantage at 19-under par, Choi experienced every golfer's nightmare on Sunday. The 26-year-old Korean posted a 1-over 73, her worst round of the week, mixing just two birdies with three costly bogeys. Her final score of 18-under 270 was enough to force a playoff but not sufficient to avoid the extra holes that would prove her undoing.

Critical Mistakes Down the Stretch

The turning point came during a disastrous middle stretch where Choi leaked shots at holes 9, 10, and 12. Her tee shot on the par-5 10th veered significantly left, leading to a bogey that cut her lead to a single stroke. The momentum had completely shifted, and what had looked like a coronation became a dogfight involving five players at one point.

Valiant Rally Falls Short

To Choi's credit, she refused to surrender without a fight. A crucial birdie at the par-4 16th hole temporarily restored her share of the lead. On the 72nd hole, she gave herself a golden opportunity with a 3-meter birdie attempt that could have won the championship outright, but the putt slid agonizingly past the cup. 😭

Playoff Struggles Continue

In the playoff, Choi's driving woes persisted. Her tee shot once again missed left, forcing her to play her approach from the adjacent 10th hole. Following another hour-long weather suspension, she managed to find the green with her third shot but couldn't convert the birdie needed to extend the playoff. Yamashita's perfect execution left no room for error.

📊 LPGA Victory Still Elusive for Choi

Since joining the LPGA Tour in 2022 following a stellar career on the KLPGA Tour (9 professional wins, 11 including amateur victories), Choi has been unable to break through for her first American victory. This marked her 123rd LPGA start and her third runner-up finish, adding to the frustration of a player whose consistent excellence has yet to translate into that elusive first win.

Despite the absence of victories, Choi's steady performances have earned her over $5.84 million in career LPGA earnings entering this event, making her the highest-earning player without a tour win. With this week's prize money added, she'll surpass $6 million in career earnings while maintaining that unfortunate distinction. 💰

🏅 Final Leaderboard - Top 10

Sunday's leaderboard resembled a game of musical chairs, with as many as five players sharing the lead at various points. The final scramble included not just the playoff trio, but also Kim A-lim and world number one Jeeno Thitikul briefly holding a share of the top spot during a wild back nine.

Position	Player (Country)	R1	R2	R3	R4	Total
1st	Yamashita Miyu (Japan) 🏆	66 (-6)	69 (-3)	70 (-2)	65 (-7)	-18 (270)
T2	Choi Hye-jin (Korea) 🇰🇷	64 (-8)	66 (-6)	67 (-5)	73 (+1)	-18 (270)
T2	Hannah Green (Australia)	65 (-7)	70 (-2)	68 (-4)	67 (-5)	-18 (270)
T4	Kim Sei-young (Korea) 🇰🇷	69 (-3)	68 (-4)	68 (-4)	66 (-6)	-17 (271)
T4	Kim A-lim (Korea) 🇰🇷	67 (-5)	72 (E)	64 (-8)	68 (-4)	-17 (271)
T4	Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand)	68 (-4)	70 (-2)	67 (-5)	66 (-6)	-17 (271)
T4	Liu Ruixin (China)	67 (-5)	69 (-3)	66 (-6)	69 (-3)	-17 (271)
T4	Iwai Chisato (Japan)	69 (-3)	68 (-4)	68 (-4)	66 (-6)	-17 (271)
T9	Lydia Ko (New Zealand)	66 (-6)	68 (-4)	70 (-2)	68 (-4)	-16 (272)
T9	Furue Ayaka (Japan)	67 (-5)	68 (-4)	67 (-5)	70 (-2)	-16 (272)

🇰🇷 Strong Showing from Korean Contingent

Yoon Ina Narrowly Misses Top 10

Rookie sensation Yoon Ina continued her impressive debut season with a solid 4-under 68 in the final round, posting five birdies against a single bogey. Her tournament total of 15-under 273 was good enough for solo 11th place, just one shot shy of cracking the top 10. More importantly, this result vaulted her nine spots up the CME Globe Rankings from 76th to 67th, keeping her season-ending championship hopes alive.

Kim Sei-young's Bogey-Free Sunday Surge

The reigning BMW Ladies Championship winner saved her best for last, carding a flawless 6-under 66 without dropping a shot on Sunday. Kim's stellar final round lifted her to a share of 4th place alongside Kim A-lim, Jeeno Thitikul, Liu Ruixin, and Iwai Chisato at 17-under 271. Her closing 66 matched the day's best scores and showcased why she's been one of the tour's most consistent performers.

Kim A-lim's Saturday Surge

This season's opening event champion made her biggest move on Saturday with an 8-under 64 that featured an eagle at the par-5 18th. Adding another 4-under on Sunday, Kim A-lim joined the crowded group at T4, continuing her solid season that has featured multiple top finishes.

Additional Korean Results

Yoo Hae-ran finished in a tie for 13th at 13-under 275, while Lim Jin-hee secured T23 at 11-under 277. Lee So-mi withdrew after two rounds due to illness despite opening with solid rounds of 66-66. 📋

💰 Prize Money Breakdown

The $3 million purse was distributed according to standard LPGA Tour payout percentages. Here's how the prize money was allocated among the top finishers:

Finish	Player(s)	Prize Money (USD)	Prize Money (KRW)
1st	Yamashita Miyu	$450,000	₩640 million
T2	Choi Hye-jin / Hannah Green	$215,000	₩306 million
T4	Kim Sei-young / Kim A-lim / 3 others	$118,000	₩168 million
T9	Lydia Ko / Furue Ayaka	$73,000	₩104 million
11th	Yoon Ina	$63,000	₩90 million
T13	Yoo Hae-ran and others	$48,000	₩68 million
T23	Lim Jin-hee and others	$28,000	₩40 million

Exchange rate: $1 = ₩1,425 (November 2025 approximate)

🌏 Broader Implications

Japan vs Korea Victory Race Heats Up

With Yamashita's triumph, Japan has now matched Korea with six LPGA victories apiece this season, setting up a fascinating battle for national supremacy. With only three events remaining on the 2025 schedule, every win takes on added significance as both golfing powerhouses vie for bragging rights.

World No. 1 Thitikul's Solid Week

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul closed with a 6-under 66 to finish T4, adding another strong result to her stellar season. The world's top-ranked player has now recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes at this event in 2023 and 2024, making her fourth-place finish this year a relative disappointment given her recent form here.

Weather Wreaks Havoc on Sunday

Lightning in the area forced two lengthy suspensions on Sunday, with the leaders experiencing a one-hour delay while playing the 14th hole and another hour-long interruption during the playoff. The stop-and-start nature of the day tested players' patience and concentration, making Yamashita's flawless performance all the more impressive. ⚡

💬 Post-Round Comments

Choi's Reflection

"I told reporters after Saturday's round that I was nervous because I've never won on the LPGA Tour, and I think that pressure got to me today. My putting on the 12th hole was probably the highlight of my round, but when it mattered most, I couldn't execute. I need to be mentally stronger for the next opportunity."

Yamashita's Victory Speech

"Starting eight shots back, I had nothing to lose, so I could play aggressively without pressure. When that playoff birdie putt dropped, it was an incredible feeling. To win twice in my rookie season, including a major championship, is beyond what I imagined."

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why hasn't Choi Hye-jin been able to win on the LPGA Tour?

A. While Choi possesses the ball-striking ability to compete with anyone, her putting in clutch situations has been identified as a weakness. This week's 3-meter birdie miss on 72 and her wayward tee shot in the playoff exemplify the fine margins that have separated her from victory. However, with 28 career top-10 finishes, most observers believe it's only a matter of time before she breaks through.

Q2. Who is Yamashita Miyu?

A. Born August 2, 2001 in Osaka, Japan, the 24-year-old Yamashita turned professional in 2021 and quickly dominated the JLPGA Tour with 13 victories. She earned her LPGA Tour card by finishing atop the Q-Series leaderboard in late 2024. Currently leading the Rookie of the Year race, she has now won twice this season, including the major AIG Women's Open in July.

Q3. What is the Maybank Championship?

A. The Maybank Championship is part of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing, featuring a $3 million purse. Held from October 30 to November 2, 2025 at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club in Malaysia, the tournament brought together 78 players competing over four rounds with no cut.

Q4. How did Korean players perform overall?

A. Korea had an excellent week with Choi's runner-up finish, Kim Sei-young and Kim A-lim sharing 4th place, Yoon Ina in 11th, Yoo Hae-ran tied for 13th, and Lim Jin-hee tied for 23rd. Three Korean players finished in the top 10, demonstrating the country's depth of talent.

Q5. How much has Choi Hye-jin earned in her LPGA career?

A. Entering this event, Choi had accumulated $5,844,969 in career LPGA earnings. With approximately $215,000 from this runner-up finish, she'll cross the $6 million threshold while maintaining her status as the tour's highest earner without a victory.

🔮 Season Finale Approaches

With just three tournaments remaining in 2025, the race for CME Globe positioning and season-ending honors intensifies. Choi will undoubtedly use this disappointment as fuel for her ongoing quest to shed the "winless" label that doesn't reflect the quality of her game.

Meanwhile, Yoon Ina's climb to 67th in the CME Globe Rankings keeps her in striking distance of the top 60 cutoff for the season finale. With strong performances in the final events, the promising rookie could earn a spot in the lucrative championship event. 🏌️‍♀️

🎯 Final Thoughts

The 2025 Maybank Championship will be remembered for Yamashita Miyu's audacious comeback and Choi Hye-jin's agonizing collapse. Yamashita's second victory of her rookie campaign solidifies her status as one of the tour's rising stars and keeps her firmly in control of the Rookie of the Year race. For Choi, the pain of this loss will sting, but her consistent excellence suggests that breakthrough victory cannot be far off.

The strong performances from Kim Sei-young, Kim A-lim, and Yoon Ina demonstrate Korea's continued strength on tour, while the Japan-Korea victory race adds intrigue to the season's final stretch. Both nations have now won six times this season, setting up a compelling narrative for the remaining events.

Despite challenging weather conditions and two lengthy delays, all competitors showed tremendous professionalism and perseverance. Congratulations to all participants, and we eagerly anticipate Choi finally claiming that elusive first LPGA victory in the near future. 👏

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