Malixi struggles with 73 after record US Girls' Junior win, new world ranking

MANILA, Philippines – Rianne Malixi made a significant leap to a career-best No. 12 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking following her record-setting victory in the US Girls’ Junior last Sunday. 

However, the rigors of her recent battle and the demanding travel from California to Finland took their toll on her performance, as Malixi struggled with a one-over 73 at the start of the European Ladies Amateur Championship Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

Malixi managed just one birdie against two bogeys at the Messila Golf course, located north of Helsinki, and stood at joint 33rd in the 144-player starting field.

Having barely had time to savor her most significant triumph in an already flourishing career, Malixi left California for Finland on Sunday. She apparently did not have a chance to complete a proper practice round at the par-72 layout, following the 36-hole finale of the US Girls’ Junior at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California.

Despite her decisive 8&7 victory over Asterisk Talley in the marathon finale, the magnitude of her win hasn't fully registered. Her focus has been divided between celebrating her record achievement and preparing — both physically and mentally — for the 37th edition of the European Ladies Amateur, one of the strongest amateur events in the world that consistently attracts top players from Europe and beyond.

Malixi’s victory at the US Girls’ Junior also propelled the 17-year-old from No. 19 to No. 12 in the world amateur ranking, bringing her closer to a Top 10 standing and potentially a shot at the coveted No. 1 spot.

Despite her recent motivations — a prestigious new title and a career-high world ranking — Malixi couldn’t replicate her near-flawless performance from the US Girls’ Junior final, where she shot 14 birdies without a bogey in 29 holes of the scheduled 36-hole duel.

After starting with six pars at the front of Messila that features five par-5s, Malixi conceded a stroke on the seventh hole, regained it with a birdie on the next, but went birdie-less the rest of the way in a 37-36 round marred by another bogey on No. 16.

As the highest-ranked non-European competing this week, Malixi aims to become the first player from outside Europe to win the event. However, she currently lay seven strokes behind Andrea Revuelta from Spain, who set a solid pace with a 66, highlighted by five birdies on the front nine to seize a two-stroke lead over Scotlnd’s Lorna McClymont and Eline Madsen from Denmark, who matched 68s, while Swede Meja Ortengren and local ace Carolina Melgrati both carded 69s.

The first round began with a light shower but was played mostly in sunny conditions with a gentle breeze. Twenty players managed to break par on the opening day, with Revuelta achieving the only bogey-free round.

This year, a new cut system will be introduced. After Round 2, the field will be reduced to 96 players and ties, with the usual cut to the Top 60 and ties taking place after Round 3.