Resolute Rianne Aims to Maintain Simple Mindset

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States: Rianne Malixi eked out two tense victories on a gruelling Thursday to book her place in the quarter-finals at the 124th US Women’s Amateur Championship.

In the morning’s Round of 32, the 17-year-old from the Philippines came from behind to defeat Canadian Anna Huang 2&1.

After a short break, Malixi was back in action at Southern Hills Country Club, seeing off the challenge of American Scarlett Schremmer 3&2 in the Round of 16.

Next up for Malixi on Friday morning is a last eight clash against American Catherine Rao, who will be playing in her third successive quarter-final at the US Women’s Amateur Championship.

Not that Malixi will be overawed after continuing her remarkable 2024 performances in United States Golf Association (USGA) events.

Last month, the Manila native won the US Girls’ Junior Championship. With her two victories on Thursday, she has extended her match play win streak to nine in USGA tournaments.

Although she’s not looking too far ahead, Malixi will be aware that Asterisk Talley, whom she defeated in the US Girls’ Junior final, is also through to the quarter-finals.

As the pair are on opposite sides of the bracket, there’s a possibility that they could meet again in the final.

Of her US Girls’ Junior win, Malixi said: “It means a lot. It’s definitely a confidence booster. I won’t be thinking about it this week, though. It won’t be that helpful. Keeping a simple mindset will be a key for this.”

While Malixi continues on her merry way, the Round of 32 proved to be the end of the road for the three other Asia-Pacific players who survived Wednesday’s opening round of match play – China’s Xiao Kaili, Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Huai-chien and Australian Justice Bosio.

Three-down through five holes, Bosio was ousted 4&2 by Talley, while left-handed Xiao bowed out 2&1 against Adela Cernousek of France, the 2024 NCAA Division One national champion. After a tight contest, Hsu was edged out one-down by Schremmer.

For a while, Malixi appeared to be in danger of having to pack her bags for home after losing the second and third holes to trail Huang two-down. But by the turn, Malixi had returned to all square before going in front for the first time at the short 11th. She closed out the match on the 17th green.

Schremmer, Hsu’s conqueror in the morning, fell behind to Malixi on the third hole in the last 16 and from that point was always chasing her opponent.

Malixi appeared to be coasting at three-up after 10 holes, but Schremmer won 12 and 13 to reduce the deficit to one. That would be as close as she would get.