Rianne Malixi shot one-under-par 71 at the start of the Women’s Orlando International Amateur 2023 at the Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge in Florida Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Filipina sits on joint 20th, five shots behind Chinese Virginie Ding who had seven birdies against a single bogey.
Americans Ami Gianchandani and Alice Hodge were tied for second place on 5-under 67.
Malixi opened with nine straight pars before making her first birdie on 10. She bogeyed 13, birdied 14 and countered a bogey on 16 with her final birdie on 17.
The top 70 and ties after 36 holes will advance to the final round.
Before competing in Orlando, Malixi placed second in last week’s Citrus Golf Trail in Sebring.
She will next vie in the Annika Invitational from 15 to 17 January at the Eagle Creek Golf Club.
