68 gives Malixi share of third

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina ace Rianne Malixi sizzled with a five-under 68 to leapfrog to joint third at the halfway mark of the Australian Master of the Amateurs yesterday in Victoria, Australia.

After opening her title-retention campaign with a 74, the 17-year-old Malixi fired eight birdies versus three bogeys in her backside start at the Southern Golf Club to grease her 10-spot rise in the leaderboard.

At four-under 142 for the tournament, Malixi trails new leader Raegan Denton by three shots. Australian Denton shot a 69 for 139 to wrest pole position after sharing second in Round 1 ahead of compatriot Ella Scaysbrook, who had a second straight 70 for solo second.

World No. 3 amateur Malaxi shared No. 3 with first-round leader Sarah Hammett, who stumbled with a 74 after a 68, and Korean Hyojin Yang, who climbed three places after a second-round 70.

Unlike in Friday’s first salvo where she struggled initially and had to make a late charge to stay in the fight, Malixi got her round off to a fine start.

The reigning US Girls’ Junior and US Women’s Amateur titlist birdied No. 10 right away then offset a bogey on the 12th with birdies on the 16th and 18th.

Although she dropped a shot on No. 2, Malixi rebounded strongly and unleashed a five-birdie spree against one bogey in the next seven holes to complete her fiery round.