Hot Malixi makes US jr golf Last 8

MANILA, Philippines — Rianne Malixi charged to the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Girls’ Junior Championship after hurdling two Match Play assignments Thursday in Tarzana, California.

The second-seeded Filipina survived a tough Round of 32 duel with No. 31 Kennedy Swedick of the US that stretched to 19 holes then stamped her class on No. 18 Yanling Elaine Liu of Canada, 6 and 5, to secure her spot in the Last-8.

Up next for 2023 runner-up Malixi is No. 58 Madison Messimer of the US, who nosed out 23rd-ranked Kathryn Ha in 20 holes in the Last-16.

The 17-year-old Pinay fended off a searing fightback from 3-down by Swedick, who drew level in the 15th hole and kept it tied in the next three.  Malixi, though, couldn’t be denied as she sealed the deal with a birdie in extra hole.

There was an initial scare against Liu as Malixi was only one-up through sixth holes but then the Philippine pride asserted herself and won five of the next seven holes to prevail with plenty to spare.  

“One key factor for sure is my irons,” said Malixi, who fixed a small issue with her short irons in between matches. “They were a lot better. But I made a lot of clutch putts in both of my matches today. I’ll credit that to my putter.”