A double bogey could not undo a strong round
On 30 October 2026, Spain's Julia Lopez Ramirez carded a six-under-par 66 in the second round of the Maybank Championship on the West Course at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. Her score included a double bogey, but after 36 holes she stood on 133 strokes (11 under), two behind leader Miyu Yamashita, who was on 131 (13 under).
Her official post-round interview was less about a single highlight than about why her chances kept coming, and what has changed in her approach to tournament pressure.
Fairways first, then precise iron approaches
Lopez Ramirez said she drove the ball well, found plenty of fairways and repeatedly hit accurate iron approaches. Many of the birdie opportunities she described came from shots finishing within roughly six feet (1.8 metres) of the hole. Keeping the ball in play off the tee allowed her to attack targets with greater precision rather than having to recover from difficult lies.
The double bogey is a reminder that 66 was not a flawless round. She credited consistent driving and iron play, not an invented single swing adjustment. Her comments describe the way she played this particular course; they are not a blanket prescription for every golfer.
How the Solheim Cup carried over
Asked whether her Solheim Cup experience had helped her recent starts, Lopez Ramirez said that performing in front of large crowds in head-to-head match play had strengthened her confidence. Having faced that setting, she felt more capable of trusting her game in regular tour events. She also spoke about enjoying competition more and trying not to become overwhelmed by stress or the scoreboard.
Support from spectators on the Asian swing matters to her, too. When relatives are not travelling with her, she said, fans can provide some of the warmth usually associated with having family nearby.
Playing a patient game in the heat
Kuala Lumpur's humidity can test concentration as much as club selection. Lopez Ramirez said she makes a point of staying hydrated and eating during the round, even when high temperatures suppress her appetite. Those remarks describe her personal tournament routine; they are not medical recommendations.
For the weekend, her plan is deliberately uncomplicated: keep finding fairways and greens, stay patient, enjoy the contest and allow the score to follow. With two rounds remaining, she was two strokes off the lead.
Reporting basis: official ASAP Sports post-round transcript, 30 October 2026; second-round scoring cross-checked against Associated Press and LPGA tournament coverage.
