Malixi withdraws from Augusta National event due to back injury

April 2 ------ RIANNE Malixi, the country’s most accomplished woman golfer, has withdrawn from the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) just a day before the tournament starts. Reports said she had a back problem and announced her withdrawal after playing four holes during practice last Monday. 

Malixi, who is one of the favorites in the tournament and ranked No. 4 amateur in the world, had been looking forward to competing in the tournament, arriving in the venue earlier to indicate that she was ready to play. But the Filipino ace, 18, who last year won the US Girls and US Women’s Amateur titles, was forced to withdraw because of the back injury. It was her second withdrawal in a major event in a month. She had earlier pulled out of the Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship early last March after playing five holes in the first round. 

She pulled out of the Asian event hoping not to aggravate the injury as she looked forward to the Augusta National event which has become one of the most prestigious competitions in women’s amateur golf. After pulling out from her practice, she told a reporter that she was going to see a PT (physical therapist). But later announced her withdrawal. Her withdrawal reduced the field from 72 to 71. The tournament has drawn the strongest field ever with 49 of 50 of the world’s top amateurs. 

Source: spin.ph