RIANNE Malixi, the country’s top women’s amateur golfer and ranked fourth in the world, withdrew from the Asia Pacific Women’s Amateur Golf Championship following an injury.
Malixi suffered a back strain and retired after five holes with a 3-over par score. She had a double bogey on the first hole, a par on the second, a birdie on the third and bogeys on fourth and fifth.
READ Rianne Malixi closes battle against men at PH Open with brave 72
It was a shocking end in the tournament for Malixi, 18, who was the favorite to win the event being the highest-ranked player in the tournament being held at the Hoiana Shores Golf Club in Vietnam.
In a statement she released after her withdrawal, she said: “I am incredibly disappointed to have to retire from the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific. It is a championship I look forward to all year. I have a back strain and tried to compete but unfortunately couldn’t continue. I wish all the girls the best of luck this week.”
The Philippines has five other players competing in the event which is one of the most prestigious amateur women’s tournaments in the world. The event drew 94 players from 24 countries.
The winner gets an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Championship, although Malixi, with her triumph in the US Girls Championship and the US Women’s Amateur Championship, had already secured an invitation.
Also at stake are invitations to the major championships such as the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, the Chevron Championship.
Currently, Junia Gabasa is the best-placed Filipino campaigner after shooting a one-under-par 70. She is tied for 26th place, six strokes back of the first-round leader.
Reese Ng and Grance Quintanilla fired identical 3-over 74 while Nicole Abelar had a 76.
Meanwhile, over at the LPGA at Blue Bay in Hainan Island, China, Bianca Pagdanganan shot an even par 72 and was tied for 32nd place, four shots behind the leaders.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
