Malixi on cusp of record-setting LPGT win

Rianne Malixi INQUIRER PHOTO

Amateur Rianne Malixi played the second round of the P750,000 ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) without putting pressure on herself.

After submitting a two-under-par 70 in the most trying of conditions on Thursday, Malixi has put all sorts of pressure on the pros to avoid being footnotes on what could be the most lopsided triumph in the local circuit.

With a level 144 aggregate after 36 holes, Malixi takes the largest spread into the final round of any LPGT event—nine strokes—making it a race among the seasoned pros in the field to keep some pride after Friday.

“Unlike in the first round, I didn’t put too much pressure on myself, which is a good thing. I was able to play my game,” said Malixi, who also won over a pro field at Midlands last season. “I will just play a relaxed game [in the final round], play with confidence and will try not to think anything that could bring me down.”

Harmie Constantino, after a 79 and Marvi Monsalve, who recorded a 78, are tied for second, with Chihiro Ikeda, who could grab the Order of Merit lead with a win here, also shooting a 78 to be another shot back like Martina Miñoza, who fired a 75.

Malixi’s round was a clinical display of patience. She opened with a bogey but got that shot back on the following hole before dropping another stroke three holes later.

But she drained her last five birdies inside the next eight holes and could have totally ran away with the tournament had it not been for a double bogey 7 on No. 11.