Maybank Championship: Miyu Yamashita in command as Charley Hull and Lottie Woad fall away in Kuala Lumpur

The 2025 Women's British Open winner and second-round leader had a 54-hole total of 198 to sit 18-under par overall at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course.

"It was a very nice round today as well," said Yamashita. "I had a few tricky situations during the round, but I managed to get through them and finish without dropping a shot, so I'm really pleased with that.

China's Yan Liu had the round of the day on Saturday, a 63 which included an eagle, nine birdies and two bogeys, to move into a tie for second place. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who led after the first round and shot 67, was level with Yan, who is aiming to keep a steady mindset heading into the final round.

"I just really enjoyed today," said the Chinese player. "I think my swing is in very good position and my putting [was] on fire today. Yeah, really happy for my putter, and I hope tomorrow it's [the] same.

"One shot at a time, just live in the present."

Yamashita won last year's Malaysian tournament after a three-way playoff, and is looking to defend a title for the first time in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

"Of course winning a title is something pretty special itself, but I really like the course and I've been getting so much support from the fans here in Malaysia so I will do my best here tomorrow," she added.

Last week, Yuri Yoshida won the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea, becoming the fourth Japanese player this season to win on the LPGA Tour, joining Yamashita, Shiho Kuwaki and Yuna Nishimura. Yoshida shot 66 on Saturday to finish at 11-under par overall.

The two top English players will require a huge surge on Sunday to hope to compete. Charley Hull's 72 leaves her at nine under and tied for 18th, with Lottie Woad's impressive 65 on Saturday moving her above her compatriot to 10-under par - some eight shots adrift of the leader.

Next week, the LPGA's four-week, late-season Asian swing ends with the Toto Japan Classic at Omitama outside Tokyo.

Live coverage of the Maybank Championship continues from 1.30am on Sunday on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix with coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 4am. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.