Malixi backs out of Augusta

MANILA, Philippines — A back injury brought an abrupt end to Rianne Malaxi’s quest for glory at the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Malixi, the double USGA amateur champion, navigated four holes in yesterday’s practice round at the Champions Retreat Golf Club when she felt a discomfort in her lower back.

This was the same issue that forced her to pull out of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in Vietnam late last year.

The reigning US Women’s Amateur and US Girls’ Junior champion informed the Golf Channel that she felt “it was best to withdraw this week and fully recover rather than risk further injury.”