Rianne Malixi battled brutal conditions at Erin Hills, opening her U.S. Women’s Open debut with a 7-over 79 on Thursday. Not the start she hoped for—but definitely a taste of what life on the LPGA Tour is all about.
Paired with major champions Yuka Saso, the defending U.S. Women’s Open titleholder, and former world No. 1 Lydia Ko, 18-year-old amateur Rianne Malixi got off to a dream start, rolling in a birdie on her opening hole to briefly share the early lead.
But that promising start was short-lived.
Malixi struggled with her approach shots throughout the round, hitting just 9 of 18 greens in regulation. She dropped a shot on the 12th and ran into more trouble on the back nine, carding double bogeys on the 15th and 17th. A missed five-foot birdie attempt on the 18th summed up her frustrating day.
On the front nine, bogeys on the 2nd, 7th, and 9th holes pushed her to a 7-over-par 79.
It was a tough initiation at Erin Hills, but valuable experience for the rising star as she continues her journey toward the professional ranks.
Malixi is set to attend Duke University this September.
Saso, who won her first US Women’s Open title as a Filipina, made only one birdie against three bogeys for a 74.
Ko, on the other hand, had two birdies against three bogeys for a 75.
Dottie Ardina, the other Filipina in the field, opened with an 81, hitting only 5 of 18 greens.
Six players are tied for the lead with identical 68s. They are Japanese Rio Takeda, Americans Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin, Koreans Jinhee Im and A Lim Kim, and Julia Lopez Ramirez.