The 15-year-old Harris dominated the par-73 course she calls home with two eagles as she broke off a tie with Japanese Aina Fujimoto to storm to a commanding six-stroke lead over Mamika Shinchi, also from Japan, with a nine-under 210 aggregate over two courses heading to the final 18 holes of the host country’s national championship.
Shinchi took the challenger’s role as Fujimoto faltered with a 76, posting a three-birdie, one-bogey round for a 71 and a 216 even as Aussie Eunseo Choi matched par 73 to seize solo third at 217.
Fujimoto actually bounced back from a five-over card after 11 holes with two birdies in the last six holes but her 40-36 round dropped her to fourth at 218.
Malixi, whose campaign is sponsored by ICTSI, encountered setbacks early coming off a disastrous 78 at Yarra Yarra Wednesday after an impressive 70 at Keysborough course as the surviving field returned to the exacting layout for the final two rounds. She dropped two strokes on the par-3, 191-yard No. 3 and bogeyed Nos. 11 and 12.
But the 16-year-old Filipina, who struck from behind in the final round to snare the Australian Master of the Amateurs title last week, showcased her competitive spirit by birdieing the last two holes as she salvaged a 38-37 and poised herself for at least a Top 10 finish with a 223 total, 13 strokes off the pace.
Despite Malixi’s late surge, Harris, 15, seized control with a five-under card, distancing herself from the competition. The Aussie’s stellar performance included a birdie on No. 8, an eagle on the next and another birdie on the 10th.
Though she faced challenges with bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12, she maintained control with three straight pars then eagled the 16th before drilling another birdie putt on the last hole.
Meanwhile, Malixi hopes her strong finish will ignite a comeback although the huge gap separating her from Harris will undoubtedly be a formidable task in pursuit of back-to-back titles Down Under.
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