Thai ace frustrates Malixi in Florida with closing 65

Thailand’s Thanana Kotchasanmanee got off to a hot start and settled down to shoot a sizzling seven-under-par 65 and upset the Philippines’ Rianne Malixi in Saturday’s final round of the Citrus Golf Trail Ladies Invitational in Sebring, Florida.

Kotchasanmanee had two three-hole birdie streaks out as he quickly erased a three-stroke deficit earlier in the day to extend his two-shot lead to a 72-hole 284.

Malixi, the ICTSI-backed ace, was not all bad, shooting 70. He could not win the seventh title this year, but remains motivated to participate in two more difficult tournaments this month, scoring the Annika Sorenstam Invitational where the world’s best sees prevail.

“I played well today (Friday). I know I put up a good fight in the first nine holes but (Kotchasanmanee) was better,” said Malixi, who birdied No. 4 and 5 after dropping a stroke on the third and rolling in an eight-footer on the seventh. to hold sway.

But Kotchasanmanee scored a birdie on No.

“I hit a lot of really good putts, but it wasn’t enough to win the title,” said Malixi, winner of three professional tournaments at home. “It’s still a fun week and knowing that I’ve been playing consistently for the last three days, it’s a good start to this journey.”

Malixi shot a forgettable 78 to open the tournament on Tuesday as he failed to fight travel fatigue after a long journey.

She will next play in the Orlando Women’s International Amateur on January 4-6 at Orange Country National before heading to the Sorenstam tournament on January 15 to January 17 at Eagle Creek Golf Club, also in Orlando.

Kotchasanmanee’s 65 came after he carded a pedestrian 73 and 74 in the first two rounds before moving into third, three shots behind Malixi with a 72.

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