Chanettee Wannasaen has struggled in her rookie campaign, and before her win at the Portland Classic, she had made only three cuts in 11 total starts, earning just $4,586 this year. She even needed to Monday qualify to gain entry into that tournament.

But this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 19-year-old has continued to turn her rookie season around, and with seven birdies and a bogey on Friday to post a 6-under 66 and move to 8-under total, Wannasaen sits in a share of eighth with 36 holes to play at the Maybank Championship, well on her way to another solid finish.

“Actually, today is very perfect shot for me because I got six birdies in a row,” said Wannasaen. “That very perfect on today for my short game. I think normally I can play this course – I think I can play really good, but yesterday I got a lot of bogey. But today, it's perfect for me.”

Since becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner, the rookie has gained confidence in her game, making five cuts in the six starts since her victory in August. Today's 66 ties Wannasaen's third-lowest round on the LPGA Tour, and it is the first time that the Thailand native has shot a round of 66 or better since she posted a final-round 63 to earn her first LPGA Tour win in Portland, Ore.

"I got more confident from the Portland, and I don't worry about my ranking at all,” said Wannasaen. “Just do the best on every tournament I play.”

She noted that Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club is playing a little shorter than Columbia Edgewater Country Club did a couple of months ago, but Wannasean feels like there are a few similarities between the two courses. She took full advantage of the soft greens, hitting 16 of 18 putting surfaces on day two, which has been a key to her success this week. She has also been putting well, needing an average of just 27 putts in the first two rounds to post a 36-hole total of 8-under.

But there are two days left to play at the Maybank Championship, and Wannasaen is looking to build off the momentum she found on Friday as she works toward a second victory over the weekend in Malaysia.

"I want to win. I want to have a second win for my rookie this year because I want to play in CME (Group Tour Championship) in the next two weeks," said Wannasaen, who is currently ranked 57th in the Race to the CME Globe.

Chanettee Wannasean Looking for Second Win Over Weekend at Maybank Championship

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