Rianne Malixi exploded with a course record-setting nine-under 63, jumping from a share of 11th to solo second but Chun-Wei Wu maintained her dominance with a solid 66 in the third round of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in Pattaya, Thailand Saturday.
Though Wu remained firmly entrenched at the top with an 18-under 198 for a commanding four-stroke lead, Malixi’s brilliant round that featured an eagle on No. 10 and seven birdies stirred up play in the eventful day, reminiscent of her backdoor victory in Australia last month.
While she managed to trim Wu’s overnight seven-shot lead, the 16-year-old Filipina, who pooled a 54-hole aggregate of 14-under 202, acknowledges the need for another extraordinary performance in the final round to secure another improbable title.
Despite her record feat, Malixi remains grounded while mentioning the crucial role her iron play played in her solid game, describing it as the key to her success.
“Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet but I feel very grateful and honored,” Malixi said.
“It was pretty simple, I was just very consistent throughout the round,” said the ICTSI-backed ace, who also overhauled a four-stroke deficit in the final round to snare the Australian Master of the Amateurs crown last month.
“My iron play was phenomenal, it made things a lot easier. I think that was the key,” she added.
But Wu proved as solid and steady, putting in a flawless six-under card. From a shaky overnight two-shot lead over Hinano Muguruma of Japan, the Taiwanese pulled away with back-to-back opening birdies then gunned down two more on Nos. 6 and 7.
As Malixi threatened to within three in the closing holes, Wu remained unfazed, birdying Nos. 15 and 17, to finish with a 32-34 for a four-shot cushion and closer to a dream championship.
“My irons were better than in the second round. I was a little bit nervous but I told myself I could do it,” said Wu, who puts premium on putting as key to her title drive.
With a huge lead, the 19-year-old, way down at No. 264 in the women’s amateur ranking compared to Malixi’s No. 42 standing, hints at the same game plan she has employed all week.
“Focus on my putting,” she said.
