Marisa’s Magical Maybank Ride

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Marisa Tojai will always remember the Maybank Championship.

Making her first start in an LPGA Tour event as one of two amateurs in the 78-player field, the teenage sensation from Thailand defied the odds and upstaged many of the world’s top players en route to a joint third place finish on 19-under-par at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). Having turned 17 on September 19, Tojai was the youngest player in the field.

Shrugging off a lacklustre opening 72, Tojai powered her way up the leaderboard with a pair of 65s, before signing off with a 67 at KLGCC’s much-vaunted West Course.

Midway through the back nine of the final round, the Chiang Mai native flirted with the lead as she followed up a four-under-par front nine with two more birdies on holes 10 and 13. However, a bogey at 14 and a double-bogey at the short but tricky par-four 16th derailed her title charge.

Showing maturity and resolve well beyond her years, Tojai bounced back with birdies on her last two holes to earn a share of third place with France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard.

Nicknamed ‘Yim’, which is the Thai word for 'smile', Tojai has shone regionally this year, chalking up a number of wins in high-profile amateur events including the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open and Annika Invitational Asia, shooting a stunning second round of 13-under-par 58 at Laguna Golf Phuket in the latter event.

However, this was the first time that she had the chance to showcase her scorching drives and delicate short game skills on the global stage, thanks to a top-five finish at the Maybank Championship’s ASEAN Qualifier in August.

While Tojai struggles a little to express herself succinctly in English, it was obvious from her demeanour that she was in seventh heaven soaking in the experience of playing in an LPGA event. Over four days of interviews, the words ‘excited’, ‘experience’, ‘learn’ and ‘fun’ popped up frequently.

“It's been a very good experience for four days with the world's top players. I made a lot of mistakes, but I will use these mistakes as lessons to improve. I will learn from this to improve myself to be better next time. This is my first time playing in an LPGA Tour event, and I'm so excited and enjoying it so much,” she said.

During a pre-event press conference, Tojai shared what she hoped to take away from the Maybank Championship: “My goal is to enjoy myself and play my best, and hopefully the experience will help me grow in the future.”

Tojai was glad to have a close friend around in compatriot Achiraya Sriwong, who was making her second successive Maybank Championship start through the qualifier. Winner of the APGC Junior Championship Girls’ title at Royal Colombo Golf Club in June, Achiraya turned professional in August and also impressed at KLGCC with a tied sixth finish on 16-under-par.

“I asked her for some advice on what to expect. She’s like a sister to me,” shared Tojai.

Taking up golf at age eight under the tutelage of professional Thanee Srisura, Tojai claimed her first notable title at age 14 at the 2023 Thailand Junior World Championships when she closed with a 67 for a one-shot win. She is currently coached by Barameht Namuangruk, who doubled up as her caddie for the last two rounds of the Maybank Championship.

What next for the bubbly youngster? Tojai has not decided when she will turn professional, and for the moment will continue to juggle golf and classes at the Donmuang Thaharnargardbumrung school in Bangkok.

One thing’s for certain. Whichever route Tojai chooses as she continues to trek through her golf journey, you can bet your last golf ball that the Maybank Championship will always have a special place in her heart.