Malixi looks to make it back-to-back Down Under at Australian Amateur

RIANNE Malixi hopes to ride the momentum of her breakthrough victory last weekend as she shoots for a sweep of the two premier titles Down Under by headlining the field in the Australian Amateur beginning Tuesday in Victoria.

Malixi was four strokes down in the final round but outsteadied two rivals down the stretch for a one-stroke victory in the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship at the Southern Golf Club last week.

READ Rianne Malixi comes from behind to win Australian Master of the Amateurs

Last week's win was a jolt of adrenaline for Malixi who narrowly lost the US Girls Jnior last year. She is now one of the favorites here and her first-round campaign begins at 12:43 pm in the company of local bets Yuuki Takada and Jennifer Herbst at the Keysborough Golf Club.

The championship will feature men's and women's events simultaneously but to be played in different courses. Malixi will compete with 104 other players at the par-73 Keysborough layout, while 205 men will do their thing at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club.

MORE FROM SPIN

MORE FROM SPIN

Malixi remains optimistic about her performance this week.

“I’m a bit pumped up. I’m much more motivated and inspired heading into this week. So, let’s see how things go,” said Malixi, who hit a clutch birdie and pars to nip India’s Avani Prashanth by one stroke last week.

Prashanth, the reigning Queen Sirikit Cup individual champion, is hoping to avenge her loss. Also looking for victory is defending champion Mizuki Hashimoto from Japan, the 2021 Asia Pacific Women’s Amateur Championship winner.

Back-to-back runner-up Justice Bosio is also in the field along with Queenslander Sarah Hammett, Victoria’s Jazy Roberts, Mamika Shinchi from Japan and another local ace, Caitlin Peirce.