Rianne Mikhaela Malixi kicked off her United States campaign with an opening two-under-par 70 in the Beaumont Emergency Hospital Babe Zaharias Open at Beaumont Country Club in Texas on Tuesday.
The 16-year-old Filipina, fresh from her stint in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, made three birdies against a lone bogey to move into a share of seventh place with Americans Susie Cavanaugh and Alisa Rodriguez, Chinese Xialon Tian, Australian Jessica Whitting and Korean Bi Shin.
“Today is a good start. The key for tomorrow is consistency off the tee,” said Malixi, who is also set to play in nine tournaments, including the Women’s British Open.
Sunshine Baraquiel, the other Filipina in the field, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys for a 72 and a tie for 17th.
Thai Ou Olankitkunchai collected eight birdies against a bogey to storm to the top of the leaderboard with a 65.
In second place was Canadian Mary Parsons who carded a 66.
Rounding out the top five were Paraguay’s Anahi Belen Servin Pascua 67, American Jacquelyn Eleey 68, Madison Moosa of the US 69, and Chakansim Khamborn of Thailand 69.
