Malixi makes amazing rally in ‘Annika’ tilt
RIANNE MALIXI bucked an early mishap with a barrage of birdies to score a tournamentbest eight-under 65 and rally from way back for tie for sixth place in the Annika Invitational topped by American Ashleen Kaur in Orlando, Florida, Tuesday.
Birdies, which proved elusive in the first two days, came like rain in the final round for the rising Filipina star, who rattled off nine, highlighted by a couple of three-birdie binges on Nos. 7 and 12, leading to a 33-32 round and besting the previous tournament-best of 66s posted by Kaur and erstwhile leader Alice Zhao at the par-73 Eagle Creek course Monday.
From tied 26th, the International Container Terminal Services Inc.backed ace, who shot seven birdies against four bogeys and a double bogey in the first two rounds (72-73), bogeyed No. 3 but birdied four of the next six holes then dominated the backside with five more birdies as she salvaged a share of sixth place with Nika Ito (67) and Kiara Romero (70) at nine-under 210.
She wound up six strokes behind Kaur but her strong finish underscored the promise that the 15-year-old prodigy packs heading to her next campaign—the Queen Sirikit Invitational back home at Manila Southwoods next month.
But Kaur took the spotlight in a day of changing fortunes, snatching the crown with a stirring closing eagle feat for a 69 and edging Zhao by one on a 204 total.
The Chinese, who seized the solo control with a second round 66, firmed up her lead with a solid frontside 33 but bogeys on Nos. 10 and 14, which Kaur birdied, enabled the latter to snatch the lead.
Zhao, however, proved far from being finished, birdying the par-five 16th to tie. After the pair traded bogeys under tremendous pressure on the par-three 17th, Kaur came through with a pair of solid shots to set up an eagle bid which she made, frustrating the former, who lost despite a closing birdie for a 71.