Rianne Malixi had to live with the sting of a heartbreaking championship-match loss in the U.S. Girls’ Junior for 363 days. However, the motivation over the last year paid off.
Malixi won the 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior on Saturday, a year after her runner-up finish in the event. She beat Asterisk Talley in the final at El Caballero in California. Malixi’s impressive 8-and-7 victory over the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball champion was the largest in championship history.
“It’s hard for me to comprehend right now because everything just came in so quickly,” Malixi said. “I know being USGA champion means a lot. Being able to do that is a huge honor for me and I’m very grateful.”
Malixi, 17, lost to Kiara Romero 1 down last year in Colorado, but in this year’s championship, she made 14 birdies over 29 holes. In the morning 18, she was the equivalent of 9-under 62.
“It was such a heartbreak last year because I was so close,” Malixi said. “After that U.S. 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 my dad (Roy) also sacrificed a lot of time for me just to accompany me. My family had their share [of sacrifices] and I’m just really grateful for everything.”
Malixi will receive a sponsor exemption into the LPGA’s JM Eagle LA Championship that will be held at El Caballero C.C. next year due to renovations going on at nearby Wilshire C.C. She also has a likely invite to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.