CARMONA, Cavite - Filipina teen Rianne Malixi closed her battle against the men and tough conditions at Manila Southwoods with a courageous two-over par 72 on Friday then said she'll gladly do it again if asked.
Together with an opening 75, the 17-year old US Junior Girls and US Women's Amateur champion finished five shots out of the halfway cut of the $500,000 Smart Infinity Philippine Open at seven-over 147 at a par-70 Masters layout that yielded very few under-par scores.
READ Malixi opens with 75 in historic Philippine Open campaign
Later, Malixi described her campaign as the first women to compete in Asia's oldest Open in 21 years as an 'OK week for me.'
"I had a lot of fun competing," Malixi, easily the most promising jungolfer to come out of the Philippines since now two-time US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso, told reporters later. "Sure, if they invite me again, I will definitely play."
While she ended 17 shots out of the 36-hole pace set by Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana, Malixi proved naysayers wrong as she displayed her pure shotmaking skills and fought valiantly despite giving up a lot in terms of length to the Asian Tour field.
Malixi ended up in a tie for 97th place with 16 others including reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit topnotcher Tony Lascuna, many-time PGT winner Jhonnel Ababa, and former Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla.
She also beat 31 others in the 142-player field, including past Philippine Open champions Angelo Que and Gerald Rosales, after a second round that finally saw her make two birdies after going without one the entire Day One.
"I'm happy with how I fought," said Malixi. "It's very special for me [playing with the Asian Tour guys]. This is huge for my preparations for the year. This will help me grow."
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