Rianne's US Girls' Junior Championship Hopes Dashed

Maryland, United States: Rianne Mikhaela Malixi’s interest in the 72nd US Girls’ Junior Championship was ended by world number one Rose Zhang.

Zhang, the 2020 US Women’s Amateur champion, won seven of her first 12 holes in her Round of 32 match against Malixi of the Philippines. Five of them with birdies.

Californian Zhang went on to win 4&3 at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase and is a hot favourite entering the last 16.

There were also exits on Thursday for China's Zhang Yunxuan and Singapore’s Yoko Tai.

In the Round of 32, Zhang lost 3&1 to Karoline Tuttle while Tai suffered a 6&5 defeat to Kary Hollenbaugh.

The only non-American quarter-finalist is Paula Miranda, of Mexico, who is six days shy of her 18th birthday. She is playing in her first USGA championship and has needed to go the distance in each of her first three matches, winning all of them one-up.

Following her morning success against Malixi, Zhang swept to a 4&2 victory against fellow southern Californian Amari Avery in the afternoon to book her spot in the last eight.

“It was just a great day overall,” said Zhang, 18. “[Amari] played amazing. It was kind of sad that we got drawn since we are friends, but it was a pretty tight match.”

Zhang’s father, Henry, caddied for her during her 2020 US Women’s Amateur victory, but parents are not permitted to caddie for their children in USGA junior championships.

Instead, Zhang opted for Columbia member Doug Hurson this week. She credits Hurson, a former collegiate golfer and two-time club champion, for assisting with his local knowledge and positive reinforcement.

“Doug on the bag has really helped me in terms of course management and reading putts well,” said Zhang. “I contribute a lot of my shots to him, and it’s really good to have someone who can confirm your line.”

Since 2019, Zhang has won 12 of 13 matches in USGA championships, with her only loss coming to 2021 US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Girls’ Junior. Today, she faces 14-year-old Yana Wilson, who dispatched Tuttle 4&3 in the Round of 16.