MALIXI EYES ANOTHER MAJOR WIN

Rianne Malixi, coming off an explosive start to a new season, sets out for another major championship by joining a crack mix of local and foreign entries in the Philippine Ladies Open slated Feb. 18-20 at Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park in Makati City.

Malixi bested Southeast Asian Games team gold medalist Abby Arevalo in three holes of sudden death to snare the crown in the National Stroke Play, which used to be the Philippine Amateur Open, at Riviera three weeks ago. It was a victory that further underscored the growing reputation of the rising 12-year-old, who racked up three victories in the National Amateur Tour last year.

That included a triumph in the Phl Junior Amateur Open at Sherwood Hills where she won the overall championship despite playing in a lower agegroup category. The bespectacled shotmaker, who dreams of playing in the LPGA Tour someday, also reigned in the Phl Amateur Open Match Play and Northern Luzon Regional Championship.