She started the final day one stroke behind the leader. By the end, she was the champion. Charlayne Chong delivered her best round of the week before defeating Genevieve Ling in a playoff to win The Ladies 2026 at The Mines Resort & Golf Club.
Her victory on 3 October earned her RM30,000 from the tournament’s RM100,000 prize purse, bringing a closely contested championship to an exciting finish.
But beyond the trophy, the tournament carries a bigger ambition. Now in its second year, The Ladies aims to give Malaysian women golfers more opportunities to compete, showcase their ability and gain recognition.
Charlayne Chong Saves Her Best For The Final Round
Charlayne Chong entered the final round one stroke behind overnight leader Genevieve Ling. Having opened with two rounds of 66, she needed another strong performance to challenge for the title.
She responded with a six-under-par 65, her lowest round of the championship. That brought her total to 16-under-par 197 over 54 holes.
Genevieve, however, remained firmly in the race. She returned a 66 to finish on the same total, leaving the two players tied at the top after three days of competition.
The title could no longer be decided by their scores over the scheduled rounds. A playoff would determine the winner.
For Charlayne Chong, the final round had brought her level with the leader. One more contest stood between her and the championship.
A Playoff Victory For Charlayne Chong
Charlayne Chong prevailed in the playoff to claim the second edition of The Ladies, with Genevieve finishing as runner-up.
The result completed a consistent week for the champion, whose scores of 66, 66 and 65 kept her in contention before she secured the title.
Genevieve also delivered a strong tournament. She shared the first-round lead after an opening 64 and moved one stroke clear after 36 holes. Despite posting three rounds in the 60s, she narrowly missed out on the championship.
Their matching totals showed just how close the competition had been. After 54 holes, it took a playoff to separate them.
A Strong Field Of Malaysian Players
Defending champion Liyana Durisic finished third at 11-under-par 202, after closing with a 68.
She had begun the final day three strokes behind the leader but was unable to catch the leading pair in her bid for consecutive titles.
Zulaikah Nasser finished fourth at 8-under-par 205, while Ng Jing Xuen and Pang Hee Jie shared fifth at 7-under-par 206. Malaysian Olympian Kelly Tan completed the championship on 214.
The field brought together Malaysian professionals and amateurs, giving players an opportunity to compete alongside one another in a dedicated women’s championship.
While Charlayne Chong took home the trophy, the event also placed a wider group of Malaysian women golfers in the spotlight.
Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew’s Vision For Women’s Golf
Founder of The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, said The Ladies was created with a long-term vision to provide meaningful competitive opportunities for women golfers.
“The Ladies is about giving women golfers a strong competitive platform and an opportunity to showcase their ability,” he said.
His ambition extends beyond hosting an annual tournament. He wants to see more Malaysian women golfers progress, compete and achieve greater recognition.
With the championship only in its second year, Lee also expressed his intention to develop it year by year into an event that players look forward to entering.
That vision gives the tournament a purpose beyond its prize money. It creates another opportunity for women golfers to test their performance in competition and have their achievements recognised on home soil.
The closely fought finish between Charlayne Chong and Genevieve offered a compelling example of the competitive golf the event aims to showcase.
Royal Presence At The Closing Ceremony
The Ladies 2026 was held from 1 to 3 October, following the Royal Pro-Am on 30 September.
The championship was hosted by The Mines Resort & Golf Club, organised by Professional Golf of Malaysia, and sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association.
The closing and prize-giving ceremony was graced by Tuanku Aishah Rohani binti Almarhum Tengku Besar Mahmud, the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.
Players, officials, sponsors, partners and guests gathered to celebrate the championship and recognise the players’ achievements.
A Bigger Prize Proposed For Next Year
Preparations have already begun for The Ladies 2027, with plans to strengthen the championship both competitively and commercially.
Organisers have proposed increasing the winner’s prize to RM50,000, with RM30,000 for second place and RM20,000 for third. The proposed top prize would be RM20,000 more than the amount Charlayne Chong received this year.
These amounts remain proposals for the next edition, rather than confirmed payouts.
For Charlayne Chong, this year’s championship ends with a trophy and a victory earned through three consistent rounds and a decisive playoff. For Lee and the organisers, attention now turns to building on that competition and creating more opportunities for Malaysian women golfers in the years ahead.
