Rianne Mikhaela Malixi finished second at the close of the Girls Junior PGA Championship at the Cog Hill’s Ravine in Illinois Friday.
The 16-year-old Filipina, priming up for the US Women’s Amateur Championship next week, fired 3-under-par 69 to improve to 12-under 276, two shots behind winner Kaitlyn Schroeder who carded a 66.
Malixi, who started the day just one shot off the pace, had a strong start, opening and closing the front nine with back-to-back birdies.
However, she faded coming home with three bogeys against two birdies to settle for the 3-under card.
The ICTSI-backed Malixi leads the Philippine campaign in next week’s blue-ribbon event. She joins Nicole Abelar and Tomi Arejola who also qualified for the event.
Schroeder came from behind to seize the title with seven birdies against one bogey.
Meanwhile, Abby Arevalo failed to start her second round in the weather-stricken French Lick Charity Classic at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick in Indiana.
Arevalo was the best-placed Filipina on 1-under, six shots behind American Gabriella Then who was 3-under for the day with one hole left.
Dottie Ardina was 2-over through 35 holes while Pauline del Rosario and Clariss Guce were not able to play in the second round after shooting 74 and 75, respectively.
Korean Hyo Joon Jang was the clubhouse leader on 138 following a 71.
