LPGA Maybank Championship Tiger trophy carries important significance

The LPGA is playing the fourth of its five straight Asian swing tournaments this week at the Maybank Championship.

After stop in China and then back-to-back tournaments in Korea, the action takes place this week at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club in Malaysia. Then it’ll be a stop in Japan before the LPGA returns to the U.S. for the final two events of the 2025 schedule.

Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Maybank Championship.

Who’s playing in the Maybank Championship?

Jeeno Thitikul, the top-ranked player in the Rolex Rankings, headlines the field. Her previous two appearances ended in runner-up finishes. In her return to the top spot in women’s golf, Thitikul has two wins, 12 top-10s and 17 cuts made in 18 starts. She’s also the lone two-time winner on the LPGA during a season. Two weeks ago, she won for a second time in 2025, snapping a streak of 26 different winners in 26 events this season.

Also playing in the Maybank is seventh-ranked Ruoning Yin, the tournament’s defending champion, Celine Boutier, who won the inaugural event in 2023, as well as Lydia Ko and Grace Kim. The entire field is 78 with 68 LPGA players and 10 sponsor invites, which includes five players from Malaysia: Kelly Tan, Mirabel Ting, Ashley Lau, Liyana Durisic and Genevieve Ling.

There is no cut this week.

What is the prize money payouts at the 2025 Maybank Championship?

The total purse this week is $3 million with the first-place winner’s check set to be $450,000.

Where is the Maybank Championship being played?

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club opened in 1991 and was designed by Sime Darby Property Berhad.

Why is the Maybank Championship trophy a tiger?

According to Maybank:

Malayan tigers hold significant economic and cultural value for the people of Malaysia. The lush jungles that house these creatures contribute to ecotourism, providing livelihoods for local communities. Furthermore, the Malayan tiger is deeply ingrained in Malaysian culture, symbolising strength, courage, and the mystical beauty of the jungle. The loss of the Malayan tiger would not only disrupt ecosystems but also lead to economic challenges and the erosion of cultural heritage.

How to watch the 2025 Maybank Championship

While the tournament will be contested Thursday through Sunday in Malaysia, golf fans in the U.S. will have to adjust to a Wednesday-to-Saturday viewing schedule. Malaysia is 12 hours ahead of ET.