Pauline Roussin-Bouchard sits right on the bubble for the best status on the LPGA – top 80 on the CME Race for the Globe points list. Coming into the Maybank Championship at No. 79, the Frenchwoman made a big statement with an opening bogey-free 64 in Malaysia to take the first-round lead. Roussin-Bouchard birdied the last three holes in Kuala Lumpur.

A strong week in Asia could not only set up Roussin-Bouchard for a strong 2027 but, in the near future, get her into the field for the CME Group Tour Championship. The top 60 on the points list earn a spot into the season-ending field.

"My challenge today was just keep the inside voice pretty, not calm because I'm not a calm person, but just under control," said Roussin-Bouchard. "Just not get ahead of myself in any situation. I think I managed to do that pretty well, and I think that's going to be pretty much the goal for the rest of the week."

American Sophia Schubert, currently No. 71, looks to qualify for the CME for the first time since 2022. Schubert played her way back onto the LPGA through the Epson Tour last season. An opening 65 puts her in a share of second with defending champion and world No. 4 Miyu Yamashita.

"First time here and I'm loving it," said Schubert, who called the hotel in Malaysia among the nicest she has stayed in all year.

Further down the board in a share of fourth sit Charley Hull and Perrine Delacour, who both shot 66.

 "I was nearly taking the whole six weeks off," said Hull of her schedule, "but I felt like I just wanted to play some golf."

Hull, of course, recently announced that she's featured in SI's 2027 Swimsuit Issue.

Malaysia's Liyana Durisic, playing on a sponsor invite, delighted crowds with an opening 67, good for T-6.

"My really close friends are out here and it was very heartwarming to see them supporting," she said. "I thought they would kind of go away after nine holes but they didn't thankfully, which was really nice. I think this gives me a whole lot of energy." 

World No. 3 Haeran Ryu withdrew before the start of the first round, ending her chances at upending Nelly Korda for LPGA Player of the Year.