Rising star tag may be a burden, but Malixi embraces the challenge of inspiring future golfers

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Rianne Malixi blasted out of the bunker on No. 18. —FRANCIS TJ OCHOA

About an hour after finishing her round, Rianne Malixi headed to the Manila Southwoods practice area to hit some bunker shots.

This, despite blasting out of the trap on the par-5 18th green and then hitting a 10-footer for birdie to close with a four-under-par 68 that left him tied for the individual lead at the 43rd Queen’s Sirikit Cup on Tuesday. .

“That’s my only good thing [bunker shot]”he said, laughing after his round that was tainted by three bogeys-all of them came from the bunker.

The event, also known as the Ladies-Asia Pacific Amateur Invitational Golf Team Championship, announced this year as the place “where legends are born.”

It could be the perfect tournament for Malixi to revive a career that has continued to flourish so far. And the country’s top amateurs love to chase dreams bigger than themselves.

“My goal is not only for me but for the next generation and my country,” Malixi said.

“That’s why I’m a big burden when I don’t play my best. In the end I let down not only myself but I think I let down a lot of people.”

Maturity

For someone who won’t turn 16 until next month, his willingness to take on the challenge of becoming the next golf star has set Malixi apart from his peers.

“Imagine, if he didn’t think about outside pressure, other people’s expectations, the game could be easier for him,” said Jerome Delariarte, a former Philippine team star and pro champion who is now Southwoods director of golf. “But the fact that he’s willing to take on that role is an inspiration to others, it’s really about his maturity.”

Malixi’s first round on the iconic Jack Nicklaus layout may have been a very small sample size, but it gave an idea of his potential. Scrambling for early pars, Malixi buried a monster birdie putt on No. 4, “from 30 to 40 feet,” he said.

He then canned his approach on the difficult sixth hole for two eagles.

“That’s the key,” Malixi said.

His 68, paired with Mafy Singson’s 74, put the Philippines at 142 in the team race, just three shots behind leading South Korea. LK Go’s 77 is not counted.

“We’re not very far, but there are a lot of things we can improve on,” said team captain Ann Granada.

Malixi must have thought so.

“Four-under is a good start to this tournament. But I know I can do better in the next three days,” he said, after a good approach throughout the day left him with putts from six to eight feet – except for the one on four.

“I’m not going to try to be spectacular. I’m just playing my game,” said Malixi.

The bigger picture

However the tournament turned out for him, Malixi focused on the bigger picture. College golf. Career pro. Play with the national team. More importantly, she is working hard this early to be an inspiration to future golfers, hoping to become the same aspirational figure that Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan are for them.

“I saw it myself [being among the best] certainly in a few years time. I just have to keep training and getting better,” said Malixi. “I started playing for about eight years and when I kept winning tournaments, I started to grow the mindset that I have to be the best not only for myself but also for the next generation . [of golfers].”

And while the label of being the next thing in golf can be a burden, Malixi is just a little confused.

“I want to be the best. Anything can happen. I may not be the best or I may succeed in being the best. But I just have to work hard [my goals].” INQ

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