From October 30 to November 2, the Maybank Championship 2025 will once again bring the best of the LPGA Tour to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
With 18 winners from this season’s LPGA Tour, including World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko, and major champion Grace Kim, the field looks set for another unforgettable week at the USD 3 million event.
It’s impossible to talk about the Maybank Championship without mentioning the story that’s been building since its first edition. In 2023, Celine Boutier edged Thitikul in a nine-hole playoff to become the first champion. The following year, Ruoning Yin held off Thitikul by a single shot with a final-round 65 to secure her second Asian swing title and third LPGA victory of the season in 2024. This year, all three return, and the stage feels set for another showdown.
2023 Maybank Championship winner, Celine Boutier.
There’s plenty of new talent making their much-anticipated debut at KLGCC’s West Course this year, including rising Japanese player Miyu Yamashita. A 13-time winner on the Japan LPGA Tour, Yamashita won the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in early August for her maiden LPGA title.
English sensation Lottie Woad will also be making her first appearance at the Maybank Championship. A former world amateur number one, Woad stunned the golfing world when she won the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open in her first start as a professional this July. She finished third at last week's Kroger Queen City Championship and will be one of the players to watch.
Japan’s Iwai twins, Akie and Chisato, will no doubt be popular draws as well, having both broken through as Rolex First-Time Winners on the 2025 LPGA Tour.
2024 Maybank Championship winner, Ruoning Yin.
Lydia Ko’s return adds even more star power. With 23 LPGA victories, two major titles, and an Olympic gold medal, she remains one of the most complete players in the game. She joins a strong cast that includes Rio Takeda, Angel Yin, and A Lim Kim, each bringing their own flair to the competition.
Five Malaysians will also step into the spotlight for the third edition of the championship. Leading the charge is Mirabel Ting, who finished tied for 12th last year, the best result by a Malaysian in tournament history. She will be joined by Ashley Lau, Kelly Tan, Liyana Durisic, and Genevieve Ling, each ready to carry the hopes of local fans eager to see the national flag flying high once again.
The championship will also see five Thai players who earned their spots through the ASEAN Qualifier, led by promising young star Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul. Their presence reflects Maybank’s ongoing goal of giving Southeast Asia’s best players the chance to compete on a global stage.
The Maybank Championship has always been more than just a tournament. From the marathon playoff in 2023 to the three holes-in-one in 2024, the event continues to deliver moments that stick in memory. As the next chapter unfolds at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, the question isn’t whether history will be made again. It’s who will make it this time.
The final player line-up for the SJM Macao Open 2025 has been confirmed, featuring some of golf’s biggest names, regional stars, and rising young talents.
Taking place from 16-19 October at the scenic Macau Golf & Country Club, the tournament is jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG, and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association.
Among the favorites competing for the coveted title are former world number one and 1999 champion Lee Westwood, two-time PGA Tour winner Sungjae Im from South Korea, defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan who won his third Asian Tour title last month, Chinese number one Li Haotong, and Taichi Kho, a gold medalist at the 2023 Asian Games and the first player from Hong Kong, China, to win an Asian Tour event at the 2023 World City Championship.
The USD 1 million event will also feature reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner John Catlin. The 13-time tour winner finished tied for fourth here last year and aims to impress the crowd with his ball-striking skills as he looks to secure a spot in one of the final groups on Sunday, 19 October.
Three Thai players have held aloft the famous Macao Open trophy since its inception in 1998. Pavit Tangkamolprasert, winner of the 2016 Macao Open, is in fine form coming into the SJM Macao Open with a third-place finish at the Jakarta International Championship last week. The 36-year-old will be looking to become the fourth player to win the Macao Open twice.
Another golfer to watch is Chinese rising star Ding Wenyi. The 20-year-old from Beijing turned professional last year and has enjoyed a solid season thus far, with five top-20 finishes. His career highlights to date include wins at the 2024 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and the 2022 US Junior Amateur.
Malaysia will have four players in the field, with Ervin Chang, Shahriffuddin Ariffin, Marcus Lim and Galven Green hoping to give their seasons a boost with strong performances. Chang and Shahriffuddin will be making their third successive starts in the event, while Lim and Green are debuting.
This year, there are two Westwoods in the SJM Macao Open field, as Samuel Westwood competes alongside his father, Lee. While he may not yet be threatening the 190-plus professional tournaments played by his father, Lee Jr. is no stranger to big occasions and high-pressure situations, having caddied for Lee at both the Masters and the Ryder Cup. The 24-year-old Englishman, who turned professional in 2022, is now making a name for himself and has already posted a runner-up finish at the Alamos Open II on the Portugal Tour this season.
As previously announced, Chinese golf legends Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong will be competing, alongside some of the nation’s rising stars, including Hong Kong’s Asian Games team bronze medalist Matthew Cheung and local rising talent Kelvin Si Ngai, who will lead the home challenge.
The highly competitive field this year will also feature 15-year-old Hong Kong squad member Ethan Tian Jun and regional pro Brian O’Dovonan. Launched last year to nurture emerging golfing talent, this year’s SJM Macao Open Qualifier Tournament took place on 29 September, with the top two finishers earning spots in the main event.
For the first time on the Asian Tour, fans will be able to track their favorite players with the Player Locator. By scanning QR codes at various locations around the course, visitors can access the SJM Macao Open 2025 interactive map to follow the action in real time.
In alignment with SJM’s commitment to the community, admission to the SJM Macao Open 2025 is free. Fans are encouraged to register in advance, with each person able to request up to four complimentary tickets. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com
Launched last year to nurture emerging golfing talent, this year’s SJM Macao Open Qualifier Tournament saw 15-year old Hong Kong, China representative squad member Ethan Tian Jun and regional pro Brian O’Donovan secure spots at the exciting SJM Macao Open 2025 as the top two finishers at the Macau Golf & Country Club on Monday. The one-day, 18-hole Gross Stroke Play competition offers two coveted spots in the SJM Macao Open 2025, scheduled for 16-19 October.
The tournament win was claimed by Tian outright with a two-under-par 68 in hot conditions. Second qualifier O’Donovan’s route to the SJM Macao Open was more challenging after finishing in a three-way tie on 70 with Lai Qin-wen and William Tang, before emerging victorious after a single-hole play-off.
Tian, who has been golfing since the age of seven, said: “I had a great experience. The course is amazing and in great condition even after the typhoon. Playing the Qualifier Tournament was a great experience for me to get used to playing under pressure, which is something that I am working on,” said the winner of this year’s Nick Faldo Hong Kong Series.
Proving the priceless opportunity offered by events like the SJM Macao Open Qualification Tournament, Tian played a superb round at the Macau Golf & Country Club to secure his place in the main draw, having missed qualifying last year by just two strokes.
“Last year I had some regrets, so this year I used my score to wipe that away. This experience will help me stay patient, stay calm and play the conditions better at the SJM Macao Open. I hope to play on tour in the future, but for now I just want to learn from the players playing at the SJM Macao Open, because they are world class, and playing with them I can learn a lot and help my game a lot,” said Tian, who is most excited to play alongside Hong Kong, China no. 1 Taichi Kho next month.
“The round was scrappy to be honest, but my short game was good,” said O’Donovan.
“I played here last year, and I think I finished one over, so I knew that around par would be close, and I just held on for it. The course is good, the greens are great, and this course really suits the way that I play golf. I’m quite looking forward to it; it should be a good week.
“I’ve done well in the past when I’ve qualified, but we’ll take it one stroke at a time and see how we go,” said the genial Irishman, who famously made the cut at the Hong Kong Open 2023 as a club pro.
O’Donovan paid tribute to the quality of the field saying, “It’s great to see the standard coming through in the region. Ethan is a good player and he has got what it takes. The SJM Macao Open Qualifier tournament is an awesome opportunity for those young guys, it gives them an insight into what professional golf is like.
“Amateur events are good and there are some big ones, but when you tee it up with the pros you have to have it nailed down in your routines, your practice, and what you do in the week. It is a great insight into what life will be like next month at the SJM Macao Open.”
The field featured a strong mix of emerging overseas talent, with the majority of the field from Hong Kong, Macao and across the mainland China, highlighting the vibrant development of golf in the region.
Tian and O’Donovan will now get the opportunity to compete against some of the biggest names in golf, including defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan fresh off of an Asian Tour win in Chinese Taipei this past weekend; Lee Westwood, Sungjae Im, Li Haotong and Taichi Kho, from 16-19 October.
Another entrant, 26-year-old aspiring Macao amateur, Chen Jia-sheng, embodies the vision behind the SJM Macao Open Qualifier tournament- having grown up watching the world’s best play at the Macao Open, and now participating in his first professional event on his home course.
Chen failed to qualify but found his confidence and skill level enhanced by the experience – and his appetite for the game.
“I have been playing golf since I was nine, but for fun. I picked up golf more seriously after university, and was my first chance to play in a tournament with professionals; it was a really good experience. I felt pressure playing against professionals, but I could compete because this is my home course. It’s super challenging, but I want to try again next year to see if I can make it.”
Not only did watching the Macao Open as a kid help turn him on to golf, it helped him prepare for the Qualifier Tournament.
“100% I am coming to the SJM Macao Open, it’s incredible seeing major winners playing in Macao. Before the tournament, I even watched videos of where those guys were hitting here, and it helped me.”
Chen also sees significant growth in the game in Macao.
“The development of golf in Macao is good now, I see a lot of young amateurs around 15 or 16 years old playing really well; you can see they have had extensive training. I want to work more on my game, but if I come back next year my confidence will be better. I don’t know if the score will be better, but my confidence will be better. It’s 8 out of 10 for me, but I definitely want to come back next year.”
The USD 1 million tournament, a highlight on the Asian Tour, is jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association.
In its 22-year history, the Macao Open has grown to become a highlight on the Asian Tour calendar, and has been graced by the presence of major champions such as Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Padraig Harrington, and Vijay Singh. Zhang Lianwei, the pioneer of golf in China, has won the prestigious event twice, and is the only golfer to have defended his title in the tournament’s history; he will also return to the Macao Open.
In keeping with SJM’s commitment to the community, admission to the SJM Macao Open 2025 will be free with prior registration. Fans are encouraged to register in advance, with each person able to request up to four tickets. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com
The SJM Macao Open returns to Macau Golf & Country Club this October 16-19 with a star-studded line-up featuring English legend Lee Westwood and Korean star Sungjae Im.
Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association, this year’s edition offers a total prize purse of USD1 million. Joining Westwood and Im in the 144-player field will be defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand, Chinese legends Zhang Lianwei (winner in 2001 and 2002) and Liang Wenchong, China’s current top player Li Haotong, and Hong Kong, China’s reigning Asian Games gold medalist, Taichi Kho.
SJM Resorts, S.A., the title sponsor of the Macao Open for the third consecutive year, is offering two exclusive accommodation packages to experience the prestigious championship.
The Pro-Am Experience Package offers privileged access to the Pro-Am tournament, while the Lisboa Lounge Experience Package allows guests premium views of the golfing action from the private Lisboa Lounge. Both packages promise a front-row seat to witness elite international players in head-to-head action, and an immersive encounter with championship golf at its finest.
Bookings are open through 12 October with limited availability.
Pro-Am Experience Package
Stay Period: 14 – 19 October 2025
Package Details:
• One-night Deluxe Suite accommodation at the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau
• Daily in-room breakfast or breakfast at The Grand Buffet for two
• One Pro-Am tournament slot (for one guest, accompanied by one visitor)
• Access for two to the golf facilities of the Macau Golf and Country Club on Pro-Am day
• Round-trip limousine service between the Macau Golf and Country Club and the hotel, and between Macau border points and the hotel
• MOP 2,000 dining voucher for selected SJM restaurants per stay
• Luxurious welcome amenities
• Two tickets to “Picasso: Beauty and Drama” exhibition
Price: MOP21,888++ per night
Extended Stay: MOP5,700++ per night (includes limousine service and Lisboa Lounge access)
Lisboa Lounge Experience Package
Booking Period: Now through 12 October 2025
Stay Period: 15 – 19 October 2025
Package Details:
• One-night Junior Suite accommodation at the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau
• Daily in-room breakfast, breakfast at The Grand Buffet or Lisboa Lounge for two
• Full access for two to the VIP Lisboa Lounge shared hospitality suite
• Daily round-trip limousine service between the Macau Golf and Country Club and the hotel
• MOP1,000 dining voucher for selected SJM restaurants per stay
• Welcome amenities
• Two tickets to “Picasso: Beauty and Drama” exhibition
Price: MOP8,888++ per night
Extended Stay: MOP4,900++ per night
For reservations or to discover more about the SJM Macao Open 2025 accommodation packages, contact +853 8881 8000 or visit here.
Paul San secured his fourth domestic circuit title with a victory at the PGM Melaka Closed Championship at Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club.
San closed with a three-under-par 69 for a 13-under-par 203 total, finishing three shots clear of Daeng Abdul Rahman. The young professional will now turn his attention to back-to-back Asian Development Tour events in the coming weeks.
Daeng carded the day’s lowest round of six-under-par 66 to climb into second place on 10-under-par 206, while Shahriffuddin Ariffin settled for third at nine-under-par 207.
In the Ladies’ Championship, Jocelyn Chee completed a wire-to-wire victory to claim her second professional title. She posted a 12-under-par 204 total to win by seven shots over Ng Jing Xuen, with Aretha Pan a further stroke back in third after a closing 64.
Nor Haqeim Hadi and Pang Hee Jie respectively earned best men’s and ladies’ amateur titles for the tournament.
