Malixi second thru 3 rounds

MANILA, Philippines — Rianne Malixi battled back from four shots down but blew a two-stroke lead with a faltering finish, hobbling with a one-over 74 and sliding to joint second after three rounds of the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship in Melbourne yesterday.

Local standout Lion Higo seized the opportunity, cashing in on the shaky starts of flightmates and erstwhile frontrunners Nika Ito from Japan and India’s Avani Prashanth. She surged ahead with a 70 and a 54-hole total of seven-under 212.