Malixi, Singson join Valley title chase

Rianne Malixi and Mafi Singson entered the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) and the multi-titled amateurs have muddled up all pretournament forecasts by becoming favorites in the P750,000 event starting on Wednesday.

Malixi, who has won numerous amateur events here and abroad and even has victories over the LPGT pros, looms as one of the players to beat in the 54-hole event at the challenging South course of Valley.

Pro favorite

Chihiro Ikeda has been listed as the odds-on favorite, coming into this week with victories at Mt. Malarayat and Eagle Ridge-Aoki before a two-month break.

But the entry of the two amateurs has changed the complexion of the championship, with Malixi admitting that she has been focusing on this event.

“I’ve also played the South course several times so I’m quite familiar with it,” Malixi, who routed a pro field at Tagaytay Midlands at the close of the 2021 season, said. “And I have also been preparing for this tournament.”

Singson also has a win on tour, the Splendido Taal leg last May, and will be coming off a respectable showing in the World Amateur Championship in France recently. INQ