Malixi Takes Aim at World Number One Zhang

Maryland, United States: China, the Philippines and Singapore are among seven countries that are represented in the Round of 32 in the 72nd US Girls’ Junior.

Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines and China’s Zhang Yunxuan both prevailed in extra-time in their Round of 64 clashes at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase.

While Malixi overcame American Kynadie Adams on the 21st hole, Zhang ousted American Lauren Sammon on the 19th hole.

Also progressing was Singapore’s Yoko Tai who eliminated American Kiera Bartholomew 4 & 3.

Tai saw a return to form after an 11-over 81 yesterday sent her tumbling down the leaderboard into a tie for 61st, in danger of not making match play. She advanced through the nine-for-four play-off yesterday with a birdie on the par-three 16th and kept the momentum going in her match against Bartholomew, winning three of the first five holes.

“It was a bit of a roller-coaster the first two days, but I tried to treat today like a new day,” said the 17-year-old Singaporean.

But there was disappointment for China’s Cindy Xin Kou and Australian Lion Higo.

Xin, who finished second in the 36-hole stroke play segment, suffered a 4 & 2 loss to 14-year-old American Avery Zweig, while Higo was edged out on the 21st hole of her match with American Isabella Van Der Biest.

Zweig, playing in her sixth USGA championship, finished stroke play 17 shots behind Xin but won four of her first six holes and never looked back.

“Cindy is a fantastic player,” said Zweig. “Being the underdog, I knew I needed to get off to a good start and then I made some good pars coming in.”

On a day when five of the top 10 seeds were defeated, medallist Rose Zhang, the world number one and reigning US Women’s Amateur champion, never trailed in her match, cruising to a 6 & 4 victory over Lauren Nguyen.

Unlike her record-breaking round of 62 the previous day, Zhang didn’t make eight birdies, but her steady play ensured she would advance to the Round of 32. She won five holes with pars and didn’t make a birdie until the par-five 12th, but it was more than enough to get past Nguyen.

In an intriguing Round of 32 contest, Zhang will face Malixi, while Zhang takes on American Karoline Tuttle and Tai tackles American Kary Hollenbaugh.