When Rianne Malixi tees off around noontime Tuesday (dinner time in Manila), she will be playing not just for herself but for an entire generation looking up to her.
She is bunched with Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall and Japan’s Sera Hasegawa in the first round of the 120th Women’s Amateur Championship at the Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich in Kent, England.
And based on the 16-year-old’s demeanor, she will be playing with enough pride.
“My goals are not just for myself but for the next generation of for my country,” Malixi was quoted as saying.
Not that she’s expected to perform beyond her years. After all, she’s up against the crème dela crème of women’s amateur.
That 144-person field includes World No. 1 Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden, No. 3 Cayetana Garcia-Paggio of Spain, defending champion Jessica Baker of England and reigning Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific winner Eila Galitsky of Thailand.
They will all be chasing a spot in the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and by tradition, an invite to compete at Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.
Currently 13th in the world, Malixi has 21 top 10 finishes in 32 events she played.
Her best finish so far were the runner-up trophies during the Citrus Golf Trail Ladies Invitational, and the Malaysian Amateur Open.
