By: Max Bechtoldt
LPGA Tour rookie Mao Saigo has jumped out to an early lead at the Maybank Championship, looking for her first-career victory.
On a brutally hot day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, rookie Mao Saigo was on fire in the first round. Saigo shot a -9 63 to take a one-stroke lead over star Haeran Ryu.
Saigo’s incredible putting form was most of the reason behind her hot round, needing only 22 putts to finish her incredible round. Particularly on the front nine, where Saigo shot 30, everything from within 20 feet was poured in, mostly with perfect pace and in the center of the cup.
Saigo, as she has done all year, excelled on the approach game as well. For the season, she is third on the tour in greens in regulation percentage. She was right on pace in the opening round, hitting 14 greens.
Saigo, from Japan, is likely close to locking up the Rookie of the Year award, with the chance to really extend her lead this week. She currently is 112 points ahead of South Korea’s Jin Hee Im.
Saigo has been quietly very impressive in her first full season. She has seven top-10 finishes on the season along with five top 20s in her last six events. She currently ranks No. 9 in the CME Standings, with the chance to move close to the top five this week.
