Malixi Begins with a Score of 68
In the 125th US Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, defending champion Rianne Malixi opened with an impressive performance, sharing the lead after the first round.
Malixi, ranked No. 9 in the Women's World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), posted a bogey-free 68 (-4) on Monday, a score that placed her in a first-round lead, shared with Julia Misemer and Cindy Hsu. Malixi compiled four birdies in her round, showcasing her resilience after overcoming a recent back injury and student visa issues.
Misemer, a rising senior at the University of Arizona, finished strong with birdies on Holes Nos. 13, 14, and 17, joining Malixi at the top of the leaderboard. Hsu, another competitor, also posted a hot back nine to take her share of the top spot after the opening round.
The first-round co-leaders are closely followed by Emilia Doran, Lauren Oliveras, and Anna Davis, all one stroke behind. Doran and Oliveras are noteworthy as they share the lead with Malixi after the qualifying rounds, while Davis, an Auburn University player, is also one stroke behind the leaders along with Schremmer.
Despite her strong stroke-play showing, Malixi faced an early exit in the match-play segment, losing in the Round of 64 to Arianna Lau by a narrow margin on the 18th hole. She tied the match four times in the last nine holes but never gained the lead during the match.
Malixi is bidding to become the first player since Danielle Kang in 2010-11 to win back-to-back US Women's Amateur titles. She is competing alongside University of Arizona's rising senior Julia Misemer and University of Texas's Cindy Hsu. The approval of Malixi's student visa was finalized just six hours before her flight to Oregon for the tournament.
The tournament is being played without repeating earlier advertisements. Malixi had a nine-hole official practice prior to the tournament, despite the late visa approval. The tournament continues with the second round, as players strive to secure their place in the match-play segment and potentially challenge for the title.
Malixi's impressive start in the US Women’s Amateur tournament, marked by a bogey-free 68 (-4), places her alongside Julia Misemer and Cindy Hsu, both golfers known for their formidable performances on the greens. This trio leads the field in golf's challenging event at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
