Yamashita holds two-shot lead in Malaysia as Ryu drops out

Miyu Yamashita holds a two-stroke lead after two rounds at the Maybank Classic in Kuala Lumpur. The world No. 4 and 2025 Women's British Open winner shot a 6-under 66 on Friday. Her two-round total is 13-under 131 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. She previously won this event last year in a three-way playoff.

Julia Lopez Ramirez and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard are tied for second, one stroke behind the leader. Lopez Ramirez birdied three of her final four holes to finish with a 66. Roussin-Bouchard led by a stroke after the first round. Lopez Ramirez said she tried to keep her mind cool and her body hydrated to handle the usual high humidity in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

Haeran Ryu did not play a single hole this week. The Korean player withdrew before her first-round tee time on Thursday. She suffered a strained finger ligament while riding in a golf cart during the Wednesday pro-am. Ryu won the Women's PGA Championship and the Evian Championship earlier this year. She was the highest-ranked player in the field, as No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul did not compete.

Charley Hull is tied for fifth, four strokes behind the lead. She posted a 69 after making five birdies in her first six holes. She then bogeyed two of her final three holes. Yuri Yoshida is at 5-under after shooting a 70 on Friday. Yoshida won the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea last week. That victory made her the fourth Japanese player to win on the LPGA Tour this season, joining Yamashita, Shiho Kuwaki, and Yuna Nishimura.

The Maybank Classic concludes this weekend. The LPGA's four-week late-season Asian swing ends next week with the Toto Japan Classic at Omitama outside Tokyo.