Hye-Jin Choi is in a strong position to secure her first career victory, leading the 2025 Maybank Championship by four strokes heading into the final round. The 26-year-old South Korean golfer delivered an impressive 5-under 67 during Saturday’s third round, bringing her total to 19 under par for the tournament.
Choi’s round began with a pair of birdies on the third and fourth holes, and she continued to build momentum with three additional birdies after the turn. Though she faced a setback with a bogey on the par-4 16th, she quickly recovered by sinking a birdie on the closing hole, ending her day on a positive note.
With 28 top-10 finishes in her 98 starts on the LPGA Tour, Choi has been close to victory on multiple occasions. However, she now finds herself in a promising position to clinch her long-awaited title, maintaining a four-shot lead that she established with a strong opening round of 64.
“I’ve been waiting for this really long and I’m going to try my best tomorrow,” Choi expressed after her round, conveying a sense of determination and excitement about the possibility of fulfilling her dream.
While Choi holds a significant lead, she will face competition from experienced players eager to challenge her. Yan Liu, who sits in second place, and major champion Hannah Green, currently in third, are both looking to capitalize on any mistakes from Choi. Green, despite enduring a double bogey on the third hole, managed to finish with a solid 67 and is just one stroke behind Liu.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul is tied for fourth at 13 under, along with Ayaka Furue and A Lim Kim, who made a notable leap on the leaderboard with a bogey-free 64. Thitikul, a two-time runner-up in this tournament, acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the unpredictable nature of golf: “You have to make birdies when you’re chasing. I know the lead is far away, but golf, anything can happen.”
As the final round approaches, Choi remains focused and optimistic about her chances, heightening the anticipation for an exciting conclusion to the championship.