Rianne Malixi blasts out of the bunker at No. 18. —FRANCIS T. J. OCHOA
About an hour or so after ending her spherical, Rianne Malixi headed out to Manila Southwoods’ apply vary to hit some bunker pictures.
This, regardless of blasting out of the entice guarding the par-5 18th inexperienced after which draining a 10-footer for birdie to shut out a four-under-par 68 that left her tied for the person lead within the forty third Queen Sirikit Cup on Tuesday.
“That was my solely good [bunker shot],” she mentioned, laughing after her spherical that was tainted by three bogeys—all of them coming from the bunker.
The occasion, also referred to as the Newbie Women-Asia Pacific Invitational Golf Group Championships, pronounces itself this 12 months because the place “the place legends are born.”
It may very well be an ideal match for Malixi to shine a profession that has been on a gradual rise so far. And the nation’s prime novice relishes chasing a dream greater than herself.
“My targets usually are not only for myself however for the subsequent technology and for my nation,” Malixi mentioned.
“That’s why it weighs on me so much after I don’t play my finest. I find yourself disappointing not simply myself however I really feel like I’m disappointing lots of people.”
Maturity
For somebody who received’t flip 16 till subsequent month, that willingness to tackle the problem of being golf’s subsequent star already units Malixi other than her friends.
“Think about, if she doesn’t take into consideration the surface stress, the expectations of others, the sport can grow to be a lot simpler for her,” mentioned Jerome Delariarte, the previous Philippine crew star and champion professional who’s now the Southwoods golf director. “However the truth that she’s prepared to tackle that function as an inspiration to others actually speaks of her maturity.”
Malixi’s first spherical on the posh Jack Nicklaus format could also be too small a pattern measurement, however it does give an image of her potential. Scrambling for pars early on, Malixi buried a monster birdie putt on No. 4, “from about 30 to 40 toes,” she mentioned.
She then canned her method on the robust sixth gap for an eagle two.
“That was the important thing,” Malixi mentioned.
Her 68, paired with the 74 of Mafy Singson, put the Philippines at 142 within the crew race, simply three pictures off main South Korea. LK Go’s 77 didn’t depend.
“We aren’t too far behind, however there are plenty of issues that we are able to enhance on,” mentioned crew captain Ann Granada.
Malixi definitely thinks so.
“4-under is an effective begin to this match. However I do know I can do higher within the subsequent three days,” she mentioned, after sensible approaches all day lengthy left her with putts from six to eight toes—apart from that one on the fourth.
“I received’t attempt to be spectacular. I’ll simply play my recreation,” Malixi mentioned.
Greater image
Nonetheless the match seems for her, Malixi is targeted on the larger image. Collegiate golf. A professional profession. Enjoying with the nationwide crew. Extra importantly, she is working laborious this early to be an inspiration to future golfers, hoping to be the identical aspirational determine that Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan had been for her.
“I see myself [being among the best] positively in a couple of years time. I simply need to carry on coaching and getting higher,” Malixi mentioned. “I began taking part in at round eight and after I stored on successful tournaments, I began rising that mindset that I’ve to be one of the best not just for myself but additionally for future generations [of golfers].”
And whereas the label of being the subsequent massive factor in golf could be a burden, Malixi is simply mildly fazed.
“I wish to be one of the best that I could be. Something can occur. I may not find yourself being one of the best or I would succeed at being one of the best. However I simply need to work laborious for [my goals].” INQ
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