Yamashita Takes Two-Shot Lead Into Maybank Weekend

Defending champion Miyu Yamashita will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Maybank Championship after a flawless second round in Kuala Lumpur. The world No. 4, who won the Women's British Open in 2025, added a six-under 66 to her opening 65 to reach 13-under 131 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Her bogey-free round was built on control rather than escapes, and she credited her distance control and scoring on the par fives. Spain's Julia Lopez Ramirez and France's Pauline Roussin-Bouchard share second place at 11-under 133. Lopez Ramirez birdied three of her final four holes for a 66 despite a double bogey, while Roussin-Bouchard, the first-round leader, shot 69 and has now gone 36 holes without a single bogey. South Korea's A Lim Kim produced the round of the day, a 64, to sit fourth at 10 under, with Charley Hull among those tied fifth at nine under after a 69. The tournament, worth $3 million, continues on Saturday, with Yamashita chasing a successful title defence and her pursuers knowing that one loose round could end their challenge.