Malixi makes history, wins US Girls’ Junior in record fashion

MANILA, Philippines – A year after a heartbreaking setback in the US Girls’ Junior Finals in Colorado, Rianne Malixi came back with a vengeance, winning the 2024 edition in record fashion by blasting California’s Asterisk Talley, 8&7, marking the largest winning margin in championship history.

"It's huge, I know," said Malixi with a wide smile. "It's hard for me to comprehend right now because everything just came in so quickly. I know being a USGA champion means a lot. Being able to do that is a huge honor for me, and I'm very grateful."

"That's crazy! I wasn't even aware. My putter was just so hot all day. Credit to my putter!"

Rianne Malixi on making 14 birdies in 29 holes in the U.S. Girls' Junior championship match. pic.twitter.com/vkJ77EgYcH

The 17-year-old rising star surpassed Princess Superal's 2014 feat when Superal edged Mexico’s Marijosse Navarro on the 37th hole in Arizona to become the first Philippine-born player to win a USGA championship.

However, Malixi's triumph proved even more impactful. On Saturday (Sunday Manila time), she delivered arguably one of the best performances of her career, shooting 14 birdies without a bogey in 29 holes of golf in the scheduled 36-hole finale.

In the morning 18 holes, Malixi sizzled in sweltering heat and fired the equivalent of a 9-under 62, with the usual match-play concessions. One of those birdies came on the par-5 No. 1, where she made 4 eight times in 10 visits.

With a commanding 6-up lead into the break, it was practically cruise control for Malixi, who birdied the 20th hole to extend her lead. Though Talley took the next two holes with emphatic birdies, Malixi regained a 6-shot lead with a birdie on the par-5 seventh.

Another birdie on the 27th put her beyond reach, and Malixi sealed the record victory as Talley bogeyed the 11th (No. 29), giving the Filipina ace an unassailable 8-up lead.

Beyond the honors, the lopsided triumph erased the stigma of a one-hole loss to Kiara Romero last year.

“It was such a heartbreak last year because I was so close. After that US trip, I just practiced a lot. I spent a lot of hours training in Manila. I sacrificed a lot of my social time, school time. Not only me, but