Amateur Rianne Mikhaela Malixi owned one of the two best scores for the day in coasting to a commanding 13-shot victory over the country’s top lady pros in the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo, Rizal Friday.
The 15-year-old nailed her fourth title in the local pro circuit, closing with a two-over-par 74 at the tough South course.
Malixi posted the only sub-par score in the 54-hole tournament — a 70 — which he fired in the second round.
Starting the day with a nine-shot lead, Malixi opened with back-to-back bogeys before going back to even for the day with birdies on 5 and 12.
She bogeyed 13 and 16.
Despite her runaway triumph, Malixi is far from being satisfied.
“It was hard — my tee shots almost always landed on a bad lie or under the trees. But I was able to make good recoveries with my iron game and putting. But I enjoyed the week,” said the ICTSI-backed ace.
“I learned a lot and it (output) tells me that I need to practice more.”
Malixi is preparing for a tough Thailand grind in the next two months, beginning with the 88th Singha Thailand Amateur Open from 18 to 21 October. She will next compete in the Singha Thailand Junior World Championship at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club from 27 to 30 October before clashing with the best of Asia-Pacific in the Women’s As-Pac Amateur Championship from 3 to 6 at the Siam Country Club in Chon Buri.
“Valley South is a tight course and I really need to hit it straight. But it inspires me to do better, especially in the presence of the crowd,” added Malixi, who also ran away with another low amateur trophy.
Chihiro Ikeda shot a 77 to place second and earn the top purse of P101,250. She also seized the lead in the Order of Merit with total earnings of P586,500.
One shot behind were Harmie Constantino, amateur Mafy Singson and Gretchen Villacencio.
Singson matched Malixi’s 74, Constantino hobbled with a 79 while Villacencio carded a 76.
Pamela Mariano carded a 76 for joint sixth on 233 with Martina Miñoza, who skied to a 79, while Sarah Ababa struggled for a 79 for a 236, and erstwhile contender Monsalve hobbled with an 84 and tumbled to ninth with 237.
Kristine Fleetwood wound up 10th with a 241 after an 84.
There are three remaining legs at Riviera, Pradera Verde and Anvaya Cove.
