Rianne Roars into Round of 32 in Colorado

Colorado, United States: Rianne Malixi of the Philippines led a group of six Asian players into the last 32 at the 74th US Girls’ Junior Championship.

In the Round of 64, Malixi, 96th in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), eased her way past American Ryan Flynn 4&3.

In so doing, she secured herself a place in the Round of 32 on Thursday when she’ll square off with another American, Kaitlyn Schroeder, a University of Alabama rising sophomore who was a quarter-finalist in this event in 2021.

Also progressing in the match play phase at the United States Air Force Academy Eisenhower Golf Club’s Blue Course were Thais Tarapath Panya and Pimpisa Rubrong, China’s Xiao Kaili and Alice Zhao Ziyi and Japan’s Chizuru Komiya. 

While Tarapath edged past Canadian Ruihan Kendria Wang one-up, Pimpisa overcame American Amelie Zalsman 2&1.

Left-hander Xiao got the better of Canadian Swetha Sathish one-up, while Zhao saw off the challenge of American Molly Smith by 2&1. 

In an all-Japanese clash, Chizuru triumphed 2&1 against Yuina Yogo.

In addition to Yogo, seven other Asians who qualified from the 36-hole stroke play segment were eliminated – Japan’s Nika Ito, Thais Alisa Inprasit and Thanana Kotchasanmanee, China’s Nancy Dai Yufei and Liu Yujie, Malaysian Jeneath Wong and Korean Ashley Kim.

Kim was beaten 5&4 by defending champion and number one seed Yana Wilson of America.

Wilson, who captured the junior portion of the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, and who was the runner-up in the recent American Junior Golf Association Rolex Girls Championship, didn’t lose a single hole.

Thanana went down 4&2 to WAGR number four Anna Davis of America, winner of last year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Second seed Davis was magnanimous following her against fellow AJGA Wyndham Cup competitor Thanana.

Recently named to the 2023 USA women’s World Amateur Team, Davis broke open a tight match against the 63rd seed with consecutive birdies on 12 and 13.

“I played against her at Wyndham Cup [in foursomes],” said Davis. “She beat me with her partner, so she’s definitely a great player. I think match play is just so much different than stroke play. She made a lot of good putts, a lot of good saves that kept her in the match.” 

Wong, a 2023 US Women’s Open qualifier and Pepperdine University rising sophomore, had the misfortune to run into an inspired Sidney Yermish, who birdied her first six holes en route to a 2&1 victory.

Liu, the youngest player to make it through to match play at 13 years and two months, put up a brave fight before going down to Mexican Clarisa Temelo 2&1.