Charlayne wins The Ladies in playoff thriller

KUALA LUMPUR: Charlayne Chong held her nerve to defeat Genevieve Ling in a playoff and capture The Ladies 2026 title at The Mines Resort & Golf Club on Saturday.

Charlayne, who began the final round one shot behind overnight leader Genevieve, closed with a six-under 65 to finish the 54-hole championship on 16-under 197.

Genevieve returned a 66 to match her at the top, sending the tournament into a playoff before Charlayne prevailed to claim the second edition of the Malaysian women's championship.

It completed a remarkably consistent week for Charlayne, who opened with back-to-back 66s before producing her lowest round when it mattered most.

Genevieve, who shared the first-round lead after a 64 and moved one clear after 36 holes, had to settle for runner-up despite posting three rounds in the 60s.

Defending champion Liyana Durisic finished third on 11-under 202 after closing with a 68.

She had started the final day three strokes off the pace but was unable to reel in the leading pair in her bid for back-to-back titles.

Zulaikah Nasser finished fourth on 205, while Ng Jing Xuen and Pang Hee Jie shared fifth place on 206.

Malaysian Olympian Kelly Tan completed the tournament on 214.

Charlayne took home RM30,000 from the RM100,000 prize purse.

The tournament, now in its second year, featured Malaysian professionals and amateurs and was established to provide women golfers with more competitive opportunities on home soil.

Founder Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew said organisers intend to continue building the championship.

"The Ladies is about giving women golfers a strong competitive platform and an opportunity to showcase their ability," he said.

"This is only our second year. We want The Ladies to continue developing year by year and become a tournament that players look forward to competing in."

Organisers have proposed increasing the winner's prize to RM50,000 next year, with RM30,000 and RM20,000 for second and third respectively.