For a Scot, Gemma Dryburgh is actually well-versed in dealing with extreme heat. The former Tulane player, who still lives in New Orleans, used that experience to help her vault into a share of second with Italy’s Benedetta Moresco after a bogey-free 7-under 65 at the Maybank Championship.
Dryburgh, who didn’t miss a single green on Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, trails only South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi, who opened with a sparkling 8-under 64.
“You don’t do that very often,” said Dryburgh, who noted that the grainy greens at Kuala Lumpur remind her of where she plays in New Orleans. “Yeah, obviously made it stress-free, which was nice. I had a couple long putts here and there.”
It’s an exciting time for 32-year-old Dryburgh, who will welcome the birth of her first child in December with partner Anne-Lise Bidou, a physiotherapist who travels on the LPGA.
“Baby due Christmas Eve, so my partner is – she usually travels on tour, but she’s back home, so say hello to her,” said Dryburgh. “Yeah, she’s doing really well and, yeah, we’re very excited. It’s going to be life-changing but all for the better.”
Dryburgh needs a late-season push to get into the top 60 and qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship. Currently 79th on the list, she’ll play the Toto Japan Classic next week, where she won in 2022, followed by The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
Last week at the Hanwha LifePlus International Crown was a tough blow for Choi, who was on the South Korean team that bowed out early on Saturday. Choi shed tears of disappointment that the home team wouldn’t be around for the fans on the final round.
Now playing in her fifth consecutive week of competition, she’s intentional about saving energy in the heat.
“So like two things I’m thinking about,” said Choi through an interpreter. “First is to have short practice and long rest. So it’s my five tournament in a row, so I really have to maintain my power. I’m going to eat well and rest well.”
Both world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul and defending champion Ruoning Yin opened with 68s.
Malaysia’s Mirabel Ting opened with a 67. The former FSU standout recently advanced to the final stage of LPGA Qualifying by topping the field. Ting made her pro debut at the Evian earlier this year.
“You know, wasn’t really playing well before Q-School,” said Ting. “Struggled a little bit right after I turned professional.
“But I just kept telling myself, yeah, professional golf is hard. But we’re just trying to get out there every day and enjoy every second. That’s what I did. Turned out pretty well today.”
