Rianne Mikhaela Malixi bogeyed the par-4 seventh hole for the third straight day but hung tough to wrest the lead in the girls’ Class A division of the Singha Thailand Junior World Championships at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club in Thailand Saturday.
Malixi shot a two-over-par 74 to move in front on 1-over 217, two shots ahead of overnight leader Thai Thitikarn N. who collapsed with a 77.
Playing in tough conditions, Malixi bogeyed three of the first seven holes but picked up three birdies in the next seven holes.
However, the 15-year-old prodigy made back-to-back bogeys from 15 before finishing with two straight pars.
Thitikarn, who sizzled for a 64 in the second round to seize control, reached the turn on 6-over and made her first and only birdie on 11 before he dropped two shots on 17.
Abby Abarcas struggled to an 84 for a 34-over total while Julianne Kristine Go also had an 84 for 51-over.
In the boys’ Class A, Jacob Cajita struggled to an 8-over 80 and fell into a tie for the lead with Malaysian Syed Hussein on 7-over 223.
Cajita made only one birdie against four bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey.
Hussein carded a 75.
Edison Tabalin moved into a share of third place on 9-over 225 after shooting the day’s best 70. He is tied with Thai Lapassapon who submitted a 77.
Zach Castro carded an 82 for 241.
In other results:
Boys’ Class B: Shinichi Suzuki, 77-229, fourth; Patrick Gene Tambalque, 79-235; Tristan Jefferson Padilla, 85-243, ninth; Zach Villaroman, 84-249, 11th;
Girls’ Class B: Reese Allyson Ng, 78-237, seventh; Alessandra Luciano, 86-263, 10th; Celine Marie Abalos, 93-278, 13th;
Boys’ Class C: Geoffrey Drew Tan, 86-250; David James Teves, 84-251;
Girls’ Class C: Francesca Nicole Gan, 82-256, sixth; Lisa Sarines, 85-260, seventh; Mona Sarines, 93-278;
Boys’ Class D: Jared Saban, 80-245, fourth; Ryuji Suzuki, 87-262; Vito Sarines, 88-264
Girls’ Class D: Brittany Pauline Tamayo, 88-267, seventh.
