Rianne Malixi’s path to a historic first major junior championship and a chance to become the second Filipina to win a USGA-sanctioned event seems increasingly promising.

In a thrilling display of skill, she secured two victories with contrasting styles, propelling her to the finals of the US Girls’ Junior in Colorado on Friday.

During the morning quarterfinals, Malixi held off a fierce late charge from Farah O’Keefe, ultimately clinching a 1-up victory after O’Keefe bogeyed the 18th hole of the Eisenhower Golf Club’s Blue course.

In the afternoon semifinals, Malixi dominated Leigh Chien, turning an early one-hole deficit into a resounding 4&2 triumph with an impressive four-hole romp starting from the fifth hole.

In the upcoming marathon 36-hole final, Malixi will face off against the third seed, Kiara Romero, who displayed remarkable resilience by rallying from a one-hole deficit and making three birdies in the last four holes to secure a 2-up win over last year’s finalist, Gianna Clemente, in the other semifinal battle. Earlier, Romero dispatched Canada’s Lauren Kim with a 3&1 victory.

The final promises to be an all-Pinay affair, as Romero’s mother hails from Quezon City, Philippines, and her father is American.

For Malixi, this opportunity means a great deal, especially considering her previous experiences coming close to major junior titles but falling short. With a solid track record in both local and international competitions, including winning two titles on the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) and four pro titles on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, she is determined to finally secure a dream championship.

Recovering and recharging overnight will be crucial for both finalists, given the anticipated grueling day-long final that may very well go down to the last shot or putt, and could even extend to additional holes, reminiscent of a past Filipina victory in a USGA event.

By reaching the finals, both Malixi and Romero have secured exemptions to next month’s US Women’s Amateur, with Malixi having already clinched a spot during a qualifier in Ojai, California.

Malixi’s impressive journey to the finals included defeating Kaitlyn Schroeder and Audrey Rischer in earlier rounds, and ultimately outplaying O’Keefe in the quarterfinals.

As the stage is set for this historic Filipina rivalry to unfold, fans eagerly await the thrilling 36-hole final to witness which young golfer will etch her name into the record books and claim the US Girls’ Junior championship.

(ai/mnm)