Tokyo, Japan: Rianne Malixi continued her excellent run of form to sweep into contention at The Royal Junior tournament.
The number one female player in the Philippines was a model of consistency on day two at The Royal Golf Club in Tokyo, compiling an assured one-under-par 71.
That gave her a 36-hole total of 145 and a share of top place alongside Japan’s Iijima Saori, who followed her opening 73 with a 72.
With six top-three finishes in her last nine starts, Malixi is currently in 100th place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
As well as winning last year’s Singha Thailand Junior World Championships, Malixi has had three runner-up finishes over the past six months. She’s also finished third on three occasions, including at the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and this year’s Queen Sirikit Cup.
Also in the mix heading into the third round in Japan are Chinese Taipei’s Liao Hsin-chun and Thai Achiraya Sriwong.
Both Liao, 103rd in the WAGR, and Achiraya, 333rd in the standings, posted their second successive 73s and are in joint third place, just one shot off the pace.
In the boys’ category in the event that is endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Kobayashi Shoon of Japan has sole possession of top spot after breaking par for the second day in a row.
His aggregate of 140 (71-69) is two shots ahead of Singapore’s Daryl Low, who matched the leader’s three-under return.
There were big improvements from two other players from the APGC contingent.
Hong Kong China’s Lin Xingzhi and New Zealander Zack Swanwick both opened with 79s on Saturday. On day two, Lin carded a 71 to soar into joint seventh while Swanwick, winner of last week’s Australian Junior Amateur, signed for a 73 and is now tied for 12th.
Leading Boys’ Scores
140 – Kobayashi Shoon (Japan) 71-69
142 – Daryl Low (Singapore) 73-69
143 – Maruo Reo (Japan) 71-72
144 – Takeda Kota (Japan) 71-73
145 – Sato Kaito (Japan) 73-72
148 – Fujii Taiki (Japan) 73-75
Selected Scores
150 – Lin Xingzhi (Hong Kong, China) 79-71
152 – Zack Swanwick (New Zealand) 79-73
153 – Shinichi Suzuki (Philippines) 77-76
154 – Jordan Indra Marcello (Indonesia) 78-76
158 – Chen Chi-chun (Chinese Taipei) 76-82
159 – Nateeshvar Anatha Ganesh (Malaysia) 84-75
165 – Teerawut Boonseeor (Thailand) 83-82
Leading Girls’ Scores
145 – Rianne Malixi (Philippines) 74-71; Iijima Saori (Japan) 73-72
146 – Liao Hsin-chun (Chinese Taipei) 73-73; Suga Fuka (Japan) 74-72; Chaki Shio (Japan) 73-73; Achiraya Sriwong (Thailand) 73-73
Selected Scores
151 – Navaporn Soontreeyapas (Thailand) 79-72
153 – Jaymie Ng (Singapore) 77-76
154 – Sophie Han (Hong Kong, China) 83-71
155 – Lee Hyo-song (Korea) 77-78; Eunseo Choi (New Zealand) 77-78
156 – Ng Jing Xuen (Malaysia) 76-80
161 – Jessica Tan (Indonesia) 80-81