As the American golf calendar quiets down, the international circuit heats up with the LPGA’s lucrative Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the historic Link Hong Kong Open, where a contingent of LIV Golf players are battling for coveted exemptions into the 2026 Masters and Open Championship.
This week marks one of the quietest periods for golf in America, as the major tours pause, allowing the spotlight to shift dramatically to international stages. While the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions take a brief hiatus from competitive play, two significant tournaments are captivating golf enthusiasts across the globe: the LPGA Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the Link Hong Kong Open, featuring a notable presence of LIV Golf players.
LPGA’s Marquee Event: The Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur
Half a world away, the LPGA Tour is undoubtedly the biggest show in town, hosting the Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Malaysia. This event, now in its third year, boasts the largest purse among the eight Asian tournaments on the LPGA calendar this year, offering $3 million in prize money with a winner’s share of $450,000.
The course is set at 6,536 yards, playing to a par of 72. Live coverage for fans can be caught on the Golf Channel from Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. PDT, and on Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. PDT, as reported by the LPGA Tour official website.
Defending champion Ruoning Yin returns to the field, which includes 22 of the 32 players who recently competed in the Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown, notably the entire team from Thailand. Only Lauren Coughlin from the U.S. team is absent. Fresh off their victory at the International Crown, the Australian team, featuring major champions Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, also adds to the prestige of the event.
Jee No Thitikul, the current leader in the Race to CME Globe, is the only multiple winner on the LPGA this year and will be a player to watch. Notably, Yani Tseng of Taiwan, who recently secured her first victory in over 11 years on the Ladies European Tour, is not in the Malaysian field. The Maybank Championship is the third of five stops in the fall Asian swing, with the Toto Japan Classic next on the schedule.
LIV Golfers Converge on Hong Kong: A Quest for Major Exemptions
Simultaneously, golf’s international narrative takes a compelling turn at the Link Hong Kong Open, a historic event that has attracted a significant contingent of 28 LIV Golf players. This tournament, the seventh event in the International Series, offers a substantial $2 million USD purse and crucial International Series Rankings points.
Beyond financial incentives, the stakes are incredibly high for the winner: an automatic exemption into the 2026 Masters Tournament and the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. This opportunity is a major draw for LIV players, many of whom are seeking direct pathways back into golf’s most prestigious events.
While some LIV stars like Charl Schwartzel and defending champion Patrick Reed are already exempt for the Masters (as past champions), and Louis Oosthuizen holds an exemption for the Open Championship, many others are actively vying for these coveted spots. Players like Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell have been vocal about their desire to compete in majors, making a win in Hong Kong particularly significant for their 2026 major championship aspirations. Rising star David Puig also has a strong chance to earn his first Masters ticket with a win this week, entering the tournament in excellent form.
The Link Hong Kong Open runs from October 30 to November 2 at the renowned Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, playing on its composite course, a par-70, 6,700-yard layout. This historic venue holds the unique distinction of being the only course other than Augusta National to host the same professional event annually since 1959. The tournament will feature a 36-hole cut, with the top 60 players and ties advancing to the weekend rounds, according to the Asian Tour website.
Key Players and Storylines in Hong Kong
The field is stacked with intriguing storylines:
- Patrick Reed: The defending champion, known for his record-breaking final-round 59 in 2024, aims for a repeat performance. Reed recently expressed his disappointment about not being selected for the Ryder Cup team, adding extra motivation.
- Ben Campbell: The 2023 Hong Kong Open winner, who finished runner-up to Reed last year, is another strong contender with a proven track record at this course.
- Dean Burmester and Paul Casey: Both have strong past performances at Hong Kong Golf Club, with Burmester finishing runner-up in 2025 and Casey losing a playoff in 2024.
- Tom McKibbin: The Legion XIII rising star enters the week as a favorite, having posted four consecutive top-20 finishes on the DP World Tour during the offseason.
- Richard Bland: The veteran recently opened up about his decision to join LIV Golf, highlighting the opportunity it provided for his future. He finished T8 at LIV Golf Hong Kong in 2024.
- Marc Leishman: Was the leading LIV Golf representative last week at the International Series Philippines, finishing T6, showcasing strong form.
- Yubin Jang: The recently relegated player is competing despite dealing with a ruptured left thumb ligament, aiming to regain his spot on the LIV Golf circuit.
Many players, including Talor Gooch, Charles Howell III, and Peter Uihlein, are making their offseason debuts or looking to capitalize on their accurate play styles which should suit the tight Hong Kong Golf Club course.
Beyond the Majors: Other Global Golf Action
While the focus is on Malaysia and Hong Kong, other tours are also in action around the world:
- PGA Tour: Coming off Michael Brennan‘s win at the Bank of Utah Championship, the tour prepares for the World Wide Technology Championship.
- European Tour: Junghwan Lee won the Genesis Championship, with the Abu Dhabi Championship next.
- PGA Tour Champions: Steven Alker leads the Charles Schwab Cup after winning the Simmons Bank Championship, with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship next.
- Japan Golf Tour: Hosts the new Fortinet Players Cup.
- Challenge Tour: Competes at the Rolex Grand Final in Spain.
- Japan LPGA: Features the Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies.
- Korea LPGA: Holds the S-Oil Championship.
This week underscores the global nature of professional golf, with compelling narratives unfolding across continents, even as the American golf landscape enjoys a brief moment of quietude.
