Rianne sets U.S. campaign

If she wins certain amateur tournaments, Rianne could even get invites from big leagues like the LPGA

More than a year without a tournament, is set to launch a two-month campaign in the United States beginning July in her bid to improve her world amateur ranking that currently stands at 748.

The 14-year-old prodigy is looking at a maximum of eight tournaments, including possible stints in the US Junior Girls and US Women, according to Roy Michael, Rianne’s father.

The elder Malixi said Rianne will compete in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments and some legs in the amateur tours in the US.

I don’t think so, she’s an extremely talented player.

“Our priority is to get world ranking points. If she wins certain amateur tournaments, Rianne could even get invites from big leagues like the LPGA,” he said.

Stints in the Future Champions Golf and IMG Junior Worlds tournaments are also in Rianne’s radar depending on her schedule, according to the elder Malixi.

Rianne last saw action in the Philippine Ladies Amateur Open in February of last year, finishing second behind the now pro Abby Arevalo.

She won the national stroke play championship two years ago at the age of 12, edging Arevalo via playoff at the Riviera Golf and Country Club.

Rianne was set to play her first tournament during the coronavirus pandemic last month, but the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship in Cavite was canceled after President Duterte placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite under enhanced community quarantine or ECQ.

She hasn’t gone out of their house for three weeks now and contented herself with hitting balls in a cage inside one room converted for its purpose.

It’s not ideal but it will keep her swing in shape while waiting for the golf courses in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces to reopen.

Her swing coach Norman Sto. Domingo doesn’t believe that the absence of tournaments has hindered the progress of his prized student.

“I don’t think so, she’s an extremely talented player,” he said.

Rianne’s father, however, believes the absence of competition has affected his daughter’s growth as a player.

This is one reason why the elder Malixi used up all his leave credits to accompany Rianne to the US for much needed exposure.

Lydia Ko, the former prodigy from New Zealand, can provide Rianne with motivation to aim for bigger goals, but the elder Malixi would want to take it one step at a time.

“It’s like when you walk up the stairs, you do it one step at a time so you avoid accident,” he said.

The elder Malixi is not discounting the possibility of Rianne skipping college golf.

“If she’s good enough to play against the pros, she might go straight playing in the tour,” he said.