Malixi so close to US Girls’ crown

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Rianne Malixi earned a second crack at glory in the US Girls’ Junior Championship as she blasted her American opponents in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds on a hot Friday at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California.

The second-seeded Filipina disposed of No. 58 Madison Messimer in the Last-8, 2 and 1, then outdueled No. 3 American Jasmine Koo, 3 and 2, to book back-to-back trips to the 36-hole championship match.

A year after settling for runner-up honors behind Kiara Romero in Colorado, Malixi is in good position to go all the way this time versus No. 4 Asterisk Talley of the US.

Talley rallied past No. 16 Gianna Clemente, 3 and 2, to reach Saturday’s marathon finale.

“I will be sticking to my game plan, just really taking it shot by shot and taking my time in between shots. I think that will be an important key for tomorrow,” said Malixi, who sets out to be only the second Pinay to win the crown after Princess Superal in 2014.

The Last Dance will be a reunion of sorts for Malixi and Talley, who shared rooms last March when they competed at the Sage Valley Invitational in Graniteville, South Carolina. Talley reigned supreme there while Malixi took runner-up honors.

The 17-year-old Malixi started the day by dispatching Messimer in the quarters, using a par on the eighth and a birdie on the 14th to break a standoff and prevail with a hole to spare.

Later, Malixi showed grit despite going 1-down against semis rival Koo through eight holes, racking up victories in the 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th to complete the steal over 16 holes.