Rianne out for 2 weeks; Grace, Junia make cut

Rianne Malixi will be sidelined for two weeks as she undergoes therapy for a back strain, according to her father, Roy.

“Rianne is currently being attended to by an Australian physiotherapist in Vietnam and is expected to return on March 10,” he shared.

On Thursday, the US Girls and US Women’s Amateur champion was forced to withdraw from the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship in Vietnam due to a painful lower back spasm. It was a significant setback for the young golfer, who had been hoping to build on her previous success.

Malixi made the decision to withdraw early in order to prevent further aggravating her injury and to ensure she has enough time to recover ahead of the LPGA Major Chevron Championship in Texas and the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur in Georgia.

Meanwhile, Filipino golfers Grace Quintanilla and Junia Gabasa managed to survive the cut. Quintanilla, a 17-year-old prodigy from Cebu, shot a one-under-par 70, including a birdie on the 18th hole, bringing her score to 2-over after 36 holes and securing a share of 39th place. Gabasa, who started strong with a 70, slid to joint 45th with a score of 3-over after shooting a 75, recording two birdies against six bogeys.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Filipino contingent did not make the cut and will not be playing through the weekend.

Reese Allyson Ng shot a birdie-less 77 to finish on 9-over, five shots off the cut. She had four bogeys and a double bogey.

Ally Gaccion and Nicole Abelar wound up on 10-over after carding a 75 and 76, respectively.

Gaccion made a single birdie against four bogeys while Abelar had a roller-coaster round of three birdies against six bogeys and a double bogey.

Meanwhile, Korean Hong Sumin continued to master the Hoiana Shores Golf Club, shooting a 67 to improve to 10-under and open a two-stroke lead over Australian Jazy Roberts and Malaysian Jeneath Wong who shot a 68 and 69, respectively.

Korean Oh Soomin was alone in fourth on 5-under after a 67.