Golf: Jasmine Suwannapura recovers from two early bogeys, leads Maybank Championship

Thailand's JasmineSuwannapurarecovered from twoearlybogeysto maintain herleadat theMaybankChampionshipin Kuala Lumpur on Friday, courtesy of a three-under-par round of 69. Suwannarpurna's 12-under 132 through two rounds kept her one shot ahead of American Rose Zhang, who shot up to second after shooting a 68 on day two.

France's Celine Boutier shot the lowest score of the round with a 64 courtesy of nine birdies, finishing ahead of a trio of golfers five shots back. But it was business as usual forSuwannapuraon a clear day in the Malaysian capital as she bids to win her third title on the LPGA Tour.

She made a horrendous start with twobogeyson the first three holes, but the 30-year-old kept her composure and grew in confidence as the round went on. Suwannapurna secured her first birdie on the par-4 sixth hole and went on to produce a solid back nine with another four birdies.

The Bangkok-born golfer said the poor start didn't worry her too much."I didn't really get stressed about the twobogeys, as I felt the pin positions were not easy at all. I just kept trying my best and hopefully get some birdies in," she said.

"After I missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole, I asked my caddie who was leading. I didn't think I was still leading. "Like Suwannapurna, Zhang also had to overcome anearlybogey before she reeled off four birdies.

A double bogey on the 14th threatened to undo all that good work, but the 20-year-old again recovered admirably with another three birdies. "I think in general, you really have to have a solid game plan. You have to be able to commit to every single shot and never give up," she said.

"If you're rolling your putts well, you'll have a good amount of birdie opportunities. "TheMaybankChampionshipis the penultimate event of the Asian Swing and offers a prize purse of $3 million, the most lucrative in the region.

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