Rianne Malixi, who endured a winless campaign abroad last year, launched the new season in style by clinching victory in Melbourne. She fended off India's Avani Prashanth in a gripping stretch run to secure the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship crown with a closing 69 at the Southern Golf Club in Braeside on Friday.
In a tension-filled finale, Malixi sealed the win, breaking a tie with Japan's Nika Ito, who played a flight ahead. A crucial birdie on the par-3 16th, coupled with Ito's costly mistake on the 17th, propelled Malixi to victory. She then matched Prashanth's pars in the final two holes, marking a triumph of spirit for the 16-year-old talent rebounding from a season filled with "near-misses."
This time, Malixi, backed by ICTSI, did not falter, staging an impressive comeback from four strokes down behind local ace Lion Higo after 54 holes. She carded a brilliant frontside 32 and demonstrated immense determination in the clutch, securing one of the highlights of her burgeoning career.
Having faced setbacks in various international tournaments last year, including a runner-up finish in the US Girls’ Junior in Colorado, Malixi posted six Top 10 finishes in 14 ranking tournaments worldwide in 2023. She concluded with a four-day total of seven-under 285, featuring rounds of 70, 72, and 74.
Prashanth, who triumphed in the Queen Sirikit Cup at the Manila Southwoods last year, finished second with a 70 and a total of 286. Ito settled for solo third at 287 after a 71.
This victory sets up Malixi for the upcoming adidas Australian Amateur at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club and Keysborough Golf Club in Victoria and the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship on Feb. 1-4 at the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand.
As the seventh winner of the event, Malixi also secures a spot in the Webes Players Series Hunter Valley, a fully-sanctioned Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia at the Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in New South Wales on Feb. 15-18.
Tied for second after 54 holes, Malixi and Ito engaged in a gripping battle for control, both posting solid four-under cards after nine holes.
Meanwhile, Higo, initially holding a substantial four-shot cushion, stumbled with bogeys in the first three holes, finishing fourth with a 76 at 288.
Ito regained the solo lead with a birdie on the par-5 10th but dropped into a tie again with Malixi after a mishap on No. 14. Malixi seized the moment as Ito double-bogeyed No. 15, taking the solo lead in a thrilling turn of events.
Despite a missed par-putt bid on the 15th, Malixi showcased composure, overcoming challenges on the penultimate hole and securing victory with a regulation par to thwart Prashanth's playoff aspirations.
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