Malixi ties for third in Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific

FILIPINA ace Rianne Malixi closed out with a three-over 75 to finish tied for third in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) topped by Korean Yang Yunseo at the Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand.

The 18-year-old Ms. Malixi wound up with a six-under 282 aggregate, or 10 shots behind Ms. Yang, who had a final round 69 to rule the event.

It was Ms. Malixi’s third top five finish in the prestigious championship, which is now on its eighth edition.

Under breezy and tough conditions, Ms. Malixi, who was just four strokes back entering the last day, limped to an outward 39 that was saddled by a pair of bogeys and a double-bogey against a low birdie, leaving her fighting for a top three finish in the late stretch.

But she had a blistering eagle on 10 where she sank a long putt from 215 yards out that may not have resuscitated her bid to become the first Filipina winner of the WAAP but somehow helped her secure a top five finish.

“We got like bad weather… finally showed its teeth, so it was really struggling (Sunday). I hit a lot of good low shots, couple of bad ones. Putting was also a struggle. I couldn’t get any of my putts to drop,” said the 2024 US Women’s Amateur champion.

“I was like far back heading into the last round, and there is always like a chance, but I didn’t really capitalize (Sunday).”

“I’m glad to be playing in a really good event since the past year and a half maybe since my injury. I’m happy and grateful. I’m looking forward for what’s in store for me. It sucks I couldn’t really back a win, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming season,” she added. — Joey Villar