An Interview with Rianne Malixi
The next big thing in women’s golf.
It was mid-July in a little California town in the San Fernando Valley called Tarzana, named for a ranch once owned by the novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs — the legendary creator of “Tarzan.” At the final match of the 2024 U.S. Girls Junior at the El Caballero Country Club, Rianne Malixi of the Philippines, 17, met California’s Asterisk Talley, 15, just fresh off of clenching one of three low amateur scores at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open. Over the course of the thirty-six-hole final, the seventeen-year-old phenom dominated Talley from start to finish to win her first-ever USGA win by an astounding margin of eight up and seven to play.
Just three weeks later at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Malixi and Talley met again in the finals, marking the first time in history that the same two players have competed in the final matches of both tournaments — let alone in the same year. Till the end of the thirty-six-hole final, it was neck and neck. But on the thirty-first hole, Malixi nearly holed out from 213 yards. Her ball soared then nosedived, landing right in the center of the green, forcing Talley to concede the hole. With that, the Philippine player made her first of three consecutive birdies, seizing control of the match to take the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur title.
Malixi is the fourth female player to ever win two different USGA Championships in the same year and only the second player to ever win both the Girl’s Junior and the Women’s Amateur in the same season. As of 2024, only nine women have won both championships at all, with Rose Zhang being the last to do so with her victories at the 2020 Women’s Amateur and the 2021 U.S Girls Junior.
Given my book and my family’s special relationship with the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the USGA reached out a couple of months back, asking if I would be interested in featuring an interview with Rianne on LINKAGE. Of course, I jumped at the chance. Below is a little bit of our conversation.
How did you first get into golf?
I started playing golf when I was eight years old. My dad was taking swings at home, and I wanted to watch him. I got curious…He brought me to the driving range, and I started hitting balls and just loved it right away. A month after that, I started playing tournaments, and then it just started rolling. Golf was really my “one and only” from the very beginning — my first love.
How did it feel to become the second player in history to win the U.S Girls Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year?
Heading to the U.S. Girls, I wasn’t expecting anything, but I had a feeling that I had a good shot of clinching the title — just because of how hard I’ve been training back in Manila. When I got the job done, I was able to take such a sigh of relief. But the U.S. Women’s Amateur was not in my head — I wasn’t expecting it at all.
I’ve read that over the past year that you’ve really had to invest in your mental game. Can you elaborate a little bit more on that?
2023 was a tough year for me. I came in close at so many events, always finishing in the top five, always short of winning. Heading to every tournament, I was scared of failing and not getting over the hurdle. Starting in 2024, I adopted a new perspective. After I won the Australian Amateur, I thought, “This is working.” And then things just went from there.
This past year has been one of, if not the, most monumental for women’s sports and specifically women’s golf. What has been your favorite part of watching women’s sports over the past year?
It’s so inspiring. A highlight was definitely the U.S. Women’s Open. I’ve known Yuka (Yuka Saso, winner of the 2024 U.S. Open) since I was eleven, and it was so amazing to see her win. But honestly the whole summer has been pretty incredible.
Who are your favorite golfers to follow?
I love Nelly Korda and Megan Khang. I actually met Megan at Mizuho (the Mizuho Americans Open) last year, and she’s so funny. But when she’s in a tournament, she’s completely game face. It’s so fun to watch.
In thinking about next year, you have several exemptions to majors, including to the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open. How will it feel to play alongside so many of the top names in women’s professional golf?
I know I can do what I did this past year but in a much bigger way…It’s going to be nerve-racking, for sure. But I’m so excited. Ever since I flew back to Manila, I’ve been prepping so I’m not in too much “crunchtime.” Hopefully, I’ll be well-prepped by the time I get to the Open next June.
I think she will be.
Thank you so much for reading.
Your friend and fellow traveler,
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