CARMONA—Rianne Malixi finally got her game back and Team Philippines moved into contention for a podium finish after the penultimate round of the 43rd Queen Sirikit Cup held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club’s beautiful yet challenging Masters course here on Thursday.
Malixi had a slow one-birdie, two-bogey card in the opening nine, but came out stronger at the back side, making three birdies and an eagle for a four-under-par 68 to step up to within five shots off India’s Avani Prashanth and solo second in the individual title race.
The Pinay ace, who will turn 16 in a couple of weeks, roared back with a 15-foot birdie on the 10th, added two more on the 11th and 15th and then capped her brilliant final nine with a long 25-foot putt for eagle on the 18th to end the day in contention for the individual title.
“Patience was the key. When two bogeys happened on nos. 6 and 7, I got a little frustrated. But I told myself to calm down and patiently waited for the next birdie to drop. When it did on the 10th, it turned my game around. Positive things came, including that eagle on the last hole,” Malixi said.
Her score, coupled with Lois Kaye Go’s 77, helped the Filipina squad to jump to sixth with 435. South Korea slowed down with 144 but continues to hold on the top spot with 425., followed by India (143-428). Japan (145), Indonesia (137) and New Zealand (143) were tied for third with 433.
Korea was led by the 71 of Yoo Hyun-jo and 73 of Kim Min-sol. India’s Prashanth’s 70 and Vidhatri Urs’ 72 counted in the three-to-play, two-to-count format of the tournament organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.
“We achieved our goal of slicing down Korea’s lead and, as bonus, Rianne (Malixi) has a shot for the individual plum),” said captain Ann Granada, noting that if the young lass from Quezon City wins, she will be the second Filipina to do after Dottie Ardina triumphed in 2011 in India.