Rianne Malixi —USGA PHOTO
When Rianne Malixi ruled the 75th US Girls’ Junior golf championship, the asterisks in her triumph weren’t only in her opponent’s name.
There was one to denote the largest championship rout in tournament history.
And then there was another one to denote that the victory had earned her an exemption to the US Women’s Open next year.
“It’s huge I know,” Malixi told reporters on Sunday (Manila time) after an 8 and 7 victory over Asterisk Talley at El Caballero Country Club in California. “It’s hard for me to comprehend right now because everything just came in so quickly. I know being USGA champion means a lot. Being able to do that is a huge honor for me and I’m very grateful.”
The victory of the 17-year-old Filipino ace was branded a redemption win by US media outlets after Malixi lost last year’s final to Kiara Romero, 1-up, in Colorado.
“It was such a heartbreak last year because I was so close,” Malixi said. “After that US trip I just practiced a lot. I spent a lot of hours training in Manila. I sacrificed a lot of my social time, school time.”
“Not only me, but my dad (Roy) also sacrificed a lot of time for me just to accompany me. My family had their share [of sacrifices],” she added.
Malixi was on fire in the final, which was scheduled for 36 holes. But she ended it in 29 after collecting 14 birdies in a flawless display.“I tried to turn it around in the [second 18], but I was too far away, and I couldn’t reach her,” Talley said.
When Malixi tees off in the US Women’s Open next year at Erin Hills in Hartford, Wisconsin, she will see a familiar face. Yuka Saso, the Filipino-Japanese star, is the golf major’s defending champion. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ