WELLINGTON -- Rianne Malixi overcame early misfortunes to post a third round 1-over 73 and remain in title contention at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) on Saturday, Feb. 14.

The 18-year-old Malixi dropped a double bogey and bogey in her opening five holes at Royal Wellington Golf Club before bravely fighting back with birdies on 14 and 17 to sit in solo fourth place on 9-under 207, four shots back of 54-hole leader Yang Yunseo of Korea.

Bidding to become the first golfer from the Philippines to lift the prestigious WAAP title, the teenage phenom, who won the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur, knows her putter needs to get hot on Sunday, Feb. 15.

“It was not a good day in the office,” said Malixi, who has two top-5 finishes at the WAAP.

“I had bad breaks in the first nine. Like my first double, the second hole, I slipped when I teed off, went straight left and had to tee off again and doubled that one. And on five, hit a good wedge shot 40 yards in, landed like a yard before and hit the pin and bounced back off the green.

“That was like my only dropped shots, and none of my putts were like dropping, but I hit a lot of good iron shots. It was frustrating. I tried my best to be patient out there, which I did.”

With swirly winds testing the players, a resilient Malixi birdied the driveable par-4, 14th hole and later stuck a wonderful approach next to the pin on 17 for her two birdies before saving par at the par-5, 18th hole with a tricky up-and-down from off the green. 

“In the moment, it's not enjoyable for sure. Now after the round, when I look at it, I'm glad that I stuck it out there and was patient,” said Malixi, who spent most of 2025 on the sidelines due to a back injury.

“I just want to play some good golf tomorrow. I deserve some putts in at least. Like I made zero putts today.” 

The 18-year-old Yang is also dreaming of delivering Korea’s first WAAP title despite her overnight three-shot lead shrinking to two following a 72 which put her on 13-under 203. 

Compatriots Oh Soomin (67), who was the runner-up in Vietnam last year, and Kim Gyu Been (71), share joint second place on 11-under.

Like Malixi, Yang, who finished fourth in her WAAP debut last year, didn’t have the best of starts where she went out in 38 after mixing her card with one double bogey, two bogeys and two birdies.

“I was nervous at the start. I made a bogey and a double bogey. At the beginning of the back nine, I kept telling myself, ‘It’s not over. I can still make up for it.’ That helped me finish on a positive note,” she said.

“I’m still doing well. There’s one more day left. If I approach it with the mindset of starting afresh, I think a good result will follow.”