Malixi fights back with 68, moves to joint 9th

MANILA, Philippines – Rianne Malixi wasted no time demonstrating her true potential, delivering an impressive four-under 68 to surge back into strong contention at the European Ladies Amateur Championship in Finland on Thursday.

After a challenging start with two bogeys and one birdie for a 73 on Wednesday, and without the advantage of a full practice round, Malixi showcased her remarkable ability to adapt to the demanding Messila Golf course. She quickly mastered the front nine, recording an impressive four-under 33 after a 37.

The 17-year-old Filipina found the back nine of the par-72 layout more challenging but managed a string of pars, but birdied the par-4 16th which she previously bogeyed to go five-under.

However, a miscue on the par-5 18th stalled her charge and halted what would’ve been a scorching round. Still, her 68 brought her total to 141, catapulting her from joint 33rd to a share of ninth with three others and boosting hopes for another title run after her record-breaking victory at last week’s US Girls’ Junior.

Now ranked No. 12 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Malixi is four strokes behind and Carolina Melgrati, Denmark’s Eline Madsen and Spain’s Andrea Revuelta, who matched 137s after 68, 69 and 71, respectively.

Malixi easily made the first cut (Top 96 and ties), with the next cut to the Top 60 and ties scheduled after the third round on Friday.

After a birdie attempt on the par-5 first hole, Malixi dominated the next two long holes on the third and fifth, scoring back-to-back birdies and putting herself back in contention.

However, she was unable to secure another birdie until two superb shots on the par-4 led to a fifth birdie, which she unfortunately gave up due to a mishap on the final hole.

Despite the late setback, her strong recovery revived her hopes for another shot at a premier championship, this 37th edition of the European Ladies being recognized as one of the strongest amateur events globally, both in participation and prestige.